What are Shell Chairs?

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.

Is the Shell Chair comfortable?

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.

How do I clean an Eames molded plywood chair?

To clean an Eames molded plywood chair, wipe it down with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a mild dish soap. Then, use a second cloth moistened with water to wipe off the soap. Finally, use a soft towel to dry. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Eames chairs.

Is the Wegner shell chair comfortable?

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.

What is the history of the Wegner Shell chair?

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.

Plywood Shell Chairs

Fh Chair

Shell Covered Furniture

Abstract Office Chair

Fh 1936

Wing Chair By Hans Wegner

Maurits Cornelis Escher

Lupina Chair

Shells In

Teak Toned Stacking Chairs with Molded Bent Plywood Shells & Gray Enameled Legs

$165 / item

H 31.25 in W 16.5 in D 16.75 in

Teak Toned Stacking Chairs with Molded Bent Plywood Shells & Gray Enameled Legs

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Simple and simply beautiful stacking chairs made with molded bent plywood shells and dark gray

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Industrial Stacking Chairs Molded Plywood Shell Set of 4

$750 / set

H 31.875 in W 18.75 in D 20.375 in

Mid-Century Industrial Stacking Chairs Molded Plywood Shell Set of 4

By Jean Prouvé

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of four Mid-Century industrial stacking chairs feature molded single-shell seats in rich dark

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Dining Fan Chair in Lacquered Wood, Shells & Wool Upholstery by Artempo

$2,796 / item

H 38.19 in W 17.72 in D 20.48 in

Dining Fan Chair in Lacquered Wood, Shells & Wool Upholstery by Artempo

Located in Geneve, CH

Dining Fan Chair in Lacquered Wood, Shells & Wool Upholstery by Artempo Dimensions: D 52 x W 45 x H

Category

2010s Chinese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Shell, Wool, Plywood

Green Shell Dining Chairs Eddie Harlis

$2,222Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 33.47 in W 22.25 in D 22.25 in

Green Shell Dining Chairs Eddie Harlis

By Eddie Harlis

Located in Otley, GB

A superb set of four green Thonet S664 dining chairs. The chairs were originally designed in 1954

Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Plywood

2 of 8 Vintage Casala Stackable Chairs, Germany 1970s, Plywood & Chrome

$653 / set

H 29.53 in W 16.15 in D 18.12 in

2 of 8 Vintage Casala Stackable Chairs, Germany 1970s, Plywood & Chrome

Located in Hannover, DE

larger set of 12 or 16 chairs. Plywood shells, carefully restored and oiled. Chrome tubular steel frames

Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Sculptural Shell Lounge Chair, Italy, 1980s

$8,200 / item

H 27.96 in W 31.11 in D 27.96 in

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

Black Metal & Pagwood 1960s Chairs with Pagholz Shells

$1,452 / set

H 30.32 in W 14.38 in D 16.93 in

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

CH07 Shell Chair by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son

$2,742 / item

H 29.14 in W 36.23 in D 32.68 in

CH07 Shell Chair by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son

By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn

Located in Little Burstead, Essex

. These particular chairs are in the premium option of Oak and Walnut veneered bent plywood with cognac

Category

1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak, Walnut, Plywood

Arne Jacobsen Chair 3107 (Series 7), Beechwood Shell, Chrome Legs, Danish Design

$363

H 29.53 in W 23.23 in D 19.69 in

Arne Jacobsen Chair 3107 (Series 7), Beechwood Shell, Chrome Legs, Danish Design

By Arne Jacobsen

Located in Hannover, DE

Arne Jacobsen Chair – Model 3107 (Series 7) 1 chair available Produced approx. 2000s Iconic

Category

Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Eight Italian Modern Shell Dining Chairs in Teak and Bouclé by Saporiti

$8,500 / set

H 31 in W 19.5 in D 19 in

Set of Eight Italian Modern Shell Dining Chairs in Teak and Bouclé by Saporiti

By Fratelli Saporiti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Set of eight dining chairs with teak frames and seat and back shells of molded teak plywood by

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Teak, Plywood

Shell Lounge Square Chair in Natural Walnut with upholstery seat in leather

$2,080 / item

H 30.71 in W 25.2 in D 26.38 in

Shell Lounge Square Chair in Natural Walnut with upholstery seat in leather

By Niko Kralj

Located in Ljubljana, SI

geometric lines in metal and softly curved plywood. Niko Kralj elevated the Shell Chair to a new level

Category

2010s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Tria Chair, Black Plywood Shell, Golden Legs, Minimalist Icon Made in italy

$1,052 / item

H 32.29 in W 22.84 in D 20.48 in

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

Set of 4 Lynderup Chairs, Black Frame/Walnut, by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia

$4,188 / set

H 30.32 in W 21.26 in D 19.69 in

Set of 4 Lynderup Chairs, Black Frame/Walnut, by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia

By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen

Located in Dubai, AE

commercial settings. Lynderup is a flexible stacking chair with plywood shells, designed by Børge Mogensen in

Category

2010s Latvian Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Lella and Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Chairs, 1960s

$12,500 / set

H 25 in W 35.25 in D 36.25 in

Pair of Lella and Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Chairs, 1960s

By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova

Located in Raleigh, NC

angular geometry of the plywood shells. The Saratoga chair, designed in 1964, represents the Vignellis

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Lacquer

Tria Chair, Oak Shell, Black Chrome Metal Legs, Minimalist Icon Made in Italy

$758Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 32.29 in W 22.84 in D 20.48 in

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

Pair of Mid Century "Lupina" chairs by Niko Kralj for Stol Kamnik, 1956

$3,026 / set

H 32.29 in W 24.02 in D 21.66 in

Pair of Mid Century "Lupina" chairs by Niko Kralj for Stol Kamnik, 1956

By Niko Kralj, Stol Kamnik

Located in Beograd, RS

by Niko Kralj. The chair feature plywood shell attached to the black lacquered steel construction

Category

Vintage 1950s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Mid Century Lupina chairs by Niko Kralj for Stol Kamnik, Yugoslavia 1956

$3,026 / set

H 32.29 in W 24.02 in D 21.66 in

Pair of Mid Century Lupina chairs by Niko Kralj for Stol Kamnik, Yugoslavia 1956

By Niko Kralj, Stol Kamnik

Located in Beograd, RS

Niko Kralj. The chair features plywood shell attached to the steel construction, beech armrests and

Category

Vintage 1950s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Recent Sales

Beige Wool Shell Dining Chair by Lesniewski, 1960s

Unavailable

H 30.71 in W 16.93 in D 16.54 in

Beige Wool Shell Dining Chair by Lesniewski, 1960s

By Leśniewski

Located in WARSZAWA, 14

Beautiful dining chair with a modernist silhouette, design around 1962, manufactured by Slupskie

Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Bentwood, Plywood

Midcentury 'Shell' Chairs in Blue Velvet by Leśniewski, 1960s, Set of 6

Unavailable

H 77 in W 42 in D 43 in

Midcentury 'Shell' Chairs in Blue Velvet by Leśniewski, 1960s, Set of 6

By Leśniewski

Located in Warsaw Wesola, PL

This set of six dining chairs with a modernist Silhouette was designed in the 1960s and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Beech, Plywood

Midcentury "Shell" Chairs in Mustard Gold Velvet by Leśniewski, 1960s, Set of 6

Unavailable

H 30.32 in W 16.54 in D 16.93 in

Midcentury "Shell" Chairs in Mustard Gold Velvet by Leśniewski, 1960s, Set of 6

By Leśniewski

Located in Warsaw Wesola, PL

This set of six dining chairs with a modernist silhouette was designed in the 1960s and

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Beech, Plywood, Velvet

Arne Jacobsen Set of Four 3107 Chairs in Rosewood

Unavailable

H 30.71 in W 18.9 in D 20.08 in

Arne Jacobsen Set of Four 3107 Chairs in Rosewood

By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

Arne Jacobsen. Set of four rosewood chairs with plywood shell, chromium-plated steel frame

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Hans Wegner Molded Walnut Plywood Shell Chair

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H 29 in W 36 in D 32 in

Hans Wegner Molded Walnut Plywood Shell Chair

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Hans Wegner molded walnut plywood shell chair model CH07. Design dates to 1963, reintroduced in the

Category

Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Ray Komai Chairs

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H 29.5 in W 21 in D 21 in

Ray Komai Chairs

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A pair of molded walnut plywood shell chairs designed by Ray Komai with satin chrome legs and metal

Category

Vintage 1950s American Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Hans Wegner Style Bent Plywood 3 Leg Shell Chairs, Pair

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H 30 in W 36.5 in D 32 in

Mid-Century Modern Hans Wegner Style Bent Plywood 3 Leg Shell Chairs, Pair

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Hans Wegner Style Bent Plywood 3 Leg Shell Chairs - Pair These chairs

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Plywood

Ib Kofod Larsen 'Shell' Chair for Christensen & Larsen

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H 28.25 in W 22.75 in D 23.5 in

Ib Kofod Larsen 'Shell' Chair for Christensen & Larsen

By Christensen & Larsen, Ib Kofod-Larsen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An impressive teak and beech edition of Ib Kofod Larsen's classic 'Shell' chair for Christensen

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Teak, Bentwood, Plywood

Fantasy Coral Chairs

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H 38 in W 19 in D 19.5 in

Fantasy Coral Chairs

By Andrew Fisher

Located in San Francisco, CA

This pair of chairs designed by Andrew Fisher in San Francisco, is made from oak plywood with

Category

1990s Chairs

Materials

Shell, Oak, Plywood

Shell Chairs FH-1936 Designed by Hans Wegner for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1948

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H 27.56 in W 27.56 in D 25.2 in

Shell Chairs FH-1936 Designed by Hans Wegner for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1948

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Stockholm, SE

Walnut veneered plywood and beech legs. Measures: H 70 cm/ 27 1/2" W 70 cm/ 27 1/2" D 64 cm

Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Plywood, Walnut

Danish Mid-Century Modern Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen CH07 Shell Chair a Pair

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H 29 in W 36 in D 32.5 in

Danish Mid-Century Modern Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen CH07 Shell Chair a Pair

By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner

Located in Secaucus, NJ

The elegant CH07 shell chair is comfortable and well-designed it is considered one of Hans J

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Plywood

Set of Four Børge Mogensen Teak Shell Chairs

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H 30.5 in W 19.75 in D 19 in

Set of Four Børge Mogensen Teak Shell Chairs

By Børge Mogensen

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This set of four teak shell dining chairs (model #155) was designed by Børge Mogensen for Soborg

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Plywood, Teak, Wood

Black Lacquered Scandinavian Shell Seat Rocking Chair with Blue Fabric

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H 30.32 in W 22.05 in D 29.53 in

Black Lacquered Scandinavian Shell Seat Rocking Chair with Blue Fabric

Located in Vienna, AT

inspired by Charles Eames Rocking Chair for Herman Miller. It features a blue upholstered plywood shell

Category

Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs

Materials

Metal

Two Lounge Chairs Miroslav Navratil with Fiberglass Shell and Original Cover

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H 72 in W 66 in D 70 in

Two Lounge Chairs Miroslav Navratil with Fiberglass Shell and Original Cover

By Miroslav Navratil

Located in München, DE

Pair of rare Mid-Century Modern 1960s lounge chairs by Miroslav Navratil with fiberglass shell

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Fiberglass, Wood, Plywood

1960s Lounge Chair by Miroslav Navratil with Fiberglass Shell and Original Cover

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H 28.35 in W 25.99 in D 27.56 in

1960s Lounge Chair by Miroslav Navratil with Fiberglass Shell and Original Cover

By Miroslav Navratil

Located in München, DE

Rare Mid-Century Modern 1960s lounge chair by Miroslav Navratil with fiberglass shell and original

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Fiberglass, Wood, Plywood

Restored 'Double Shell' Lounge Chairs by Illum Wikkelsø for Arflex, Italy, 1960

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H 29.14 in W 30.32 in D 23.63 in

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

Hans J. Wegner Fh 1936 Shell Chair in Beach and Teak Wood for Fritz Hansen, 1950

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H 27.17 in W 28.75 in D 24.41 in

Hans J. Wegner Fh 1936 Shell Chair in Beach and Teak Wood for Fritz Hansen, 1950

By Hans J. Wegner, Fritz Hansen

Located in Amsterdam, NL

plywood shells in teak veneer. The chair has some old joint repairs and is upholstered at some point

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Beech, Teak

Kho Liang Le for Car Catwijk Industrial Stacking Chairs

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H 31.75 in W 21 in D 18 in

Kho Liang Le for Car Catwijk Industrial Stacking Chairs

By Kho Liang Ie, CAR Katwijk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Cool orange toned plywood single shell stacking chairs on khaki enameled meal frame. Unique locking

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Kho Liang Le for Car Catwijk Industrial Stacking Chairs

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H 31.75 in W 21 in D 18 in

Kho Liang Le for Car Catwijk Industrial Stacking Chairs

By Kho Liang Ie, CAR Katwijk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Mango toned plywood single shell stacking chairs on Khaki enameled meal frame. Unique locking

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Fritz Hansen Style Blonde Square Backed Stacking Chairs

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H 30 in W 21.625 in D 22.75 in

Fritz Hansen Style Blonde Square Backed Stacking Chairs

By Fritz Hansen, Alvar Aalto

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Delicate Fritz Hansen style single shell bent plywood stacking chairs with squared back. The

Category

Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Late 20th Century Hans Wegner, Shell Chair

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H 29.14 in W 36.23 in L 29.14 in

Late 20th Century Hans Wegner, Shell Chair

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Paris, FR

crafted in bent plywood with orange fabric upholstery, and rests on three legs. The shell chair achieves a

Category

Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Plywood

Late 20th Century Hans Wegner, Shell Chair

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H 29.14 in W 36.23 in L 29.14 in

Late 20th Century Hans Wegner, Shell Chair

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Paris, FR

crafted in bent plywood with orange fabric upholstery, and rests on three legs. The shell chair achieves a

Category

Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Plywood

Tria Chair, Oak Shell, Black Metal Legs, Solid Minimalist Icon Made In Italy

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H 32.29 in W 22.84 in D 20.48 in

Tria Chair, Oak Shell, Black Metal Legs, Solid 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

Brian Kane for Herman Miller Green Swoop Plywood Armchairs, Set of 2

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H 30.71 in W 29.53 in D 31.5 in

Brian Kane for Herman Miller Green Swoop Plywood Armchairs, Set of 2

By Brian Kane, Herman Miller

Located in Basildon, London

upholstered in a green fabric to contrast the plywood shell. The chairs have four chrome metal stiletto

Category

2010s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Plywood, Fabric

Herman Miller by Brian Kane Green Swoop Plywood Armchairs, Set of Two

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H 30.71 in W 29.53 in D 31.5 in

Herman Miller by Brian Kane Green Swoop Plywood Armchairs, Set of Two

By Brian Kane, Herman Miller

Located in Basildon, London

upholstered in a green fabric to contrast the plywood shell. The chairs have four chrome metal stiletto

Category

2010s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Plywood

A Pair of Chairs by Ib Kofod- Larsen

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H 15.75 in W 20.5 in D 25 in

A Pair of Chairs by Ib Kofod- Larsen

Located in Pasadena, CA

Plywood shell back chairs with wrought iron frames.The fabric has been replaced as you can see on

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Eames for Herman Miller Fiberglass Shell Chair in Brown, circa 1950s

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H 27 in W 22 in D 24 in

Eames for Herman Miller Fiberglass Shell Chair in Brown, circa 1950s

By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT This is an original 1950s Eames fiberglass shell chair with original model sticker in Brown

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Shell Chairs Designed by Charles and Ray Eames

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H 28.5 in W 19.5 in D 21 in

Set of Four Shell Chairs Designed by Charles and Ray Eames

By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames

Located in Atlanta, GA

Set of four side shell chairs, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, American, circa 1950s. Two in

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Eames for Herman Miller Fiberglass Shell DSS Chair in Parchment

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H 27 in W 22 in D 24 in

Set of Eames for Herman Miller Fiberglass Shell DSS Chair in Parchment

By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames

Located in San Francisco, CA

About: A set of four stackable Eames DSS fiberglass shell chairs in Parchment mounted on their

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Prouve Style Single Shell Industrial Stacking Chair with Wine Red Legs

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H 33 in W 18 in D 21.5 in

Prouve Style Single Shell Industrial Stacking Chair with Wine Red Legs

By Pagholz Flötotto

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Industrial dark red enameled metal legs with wenge toned bent ply-laminate shell seat. Priced

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Rare Early Arne Jacobsen Lily Chairs, Fritz Hansen, 1969, a Pair

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H 32.25 in W 19.5 in D 20.5 in

Rare Early Arne Jacobsen Lily Chairs, Fritz Hansen, 1969, a Pair

By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen

Located in Culver City, CA

. "Clearly the Lily is related to the other shell chairs in plywood that Jacobsen designed, including The Ant

Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Mid-Century Plywood Shell Chair, Italy

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H 33.08 in W 22.45 in D 14.97 in

Mid-Century Plywood Shell Chair, Italy

By Vittorio Nobili

Located in Hem, NL

Very interesting curved chair very much in the style of Vittorio Nobili’s iconic ‘Medea” chair but

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Shell Chair Attributed by Borge Mogensen for Jeppesen, Denmark

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H 30.12 in W 28.75 in D 22.45 in

Shell Chair Attributed by Borge Mogensen for Jeppesen, Denmark

By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen

Located in JM Haarlem, NL

Rare plywood chair attributed by Borge Mogensen for Jeppesen, Denmark. Marked with a label. The

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak, Plywood, Wool

Beige Wool Shell Dining Chairs by Lesniewski, 1960s, Set of 4

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H 30.71 in W 16.93 in D 16.54 in

Beige Wool Shell Dining Chairs by Lesniewski, 1960s, Set of 4

By Leśniewski

Located in WARSZAWA, 14

Beautiful set of 4 dining chairs with a modernist silhouette, design around 1962, manufactured by

Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Bentwood, Plywood

Beige Wool Shell Dining Chairs by Lesniewski, 1960s, Set of 6

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H 30.71 in W 16.93 in D 16.54 in

Beige Wool Shell Dining Chairs by Lesniewski, 1960s, Set of 6

By Leśniewski

Located in WARSZAWA, 14

Beautiful set of 6 dining chairs with a modernist silhouette, design around 1962, manufactured by

Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Bentwood, Plywood

Orange Swivel Chair with Plywood Shell, 1968

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H 29.53 in W 31.11 in D 28.75 in

Orange Swivel Chair with Plywood Shell, 1968

Located in Frankfurt / Dreieich, DE

Nice orange swivel chair with plywood shell and wool, 1960s. Good condition.

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen

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H 50 in W 18 in D 23 in

Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen

By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen

Located in Miami, FL

Set of six Oxford Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen High back series 3172 in production

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Swiveling caramel leather armchair and ottoman by De Sede

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H 39 in W 20 in D 37 in

Swiveling caramel leather armchair and ottoman by De Sede

Located in Hollywood, CA

back and seat cushions are on molded plywood shells. The chair also tips backwards, and is extremely

Category

Vintage 1960s Armchairs

Materials

Leather

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Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...

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This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Afghan Peshawar with Colorful Oceanic Fish Design, Organic Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the cen...

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By Aksel Kjersgaard, IKEA, Kai Kristiansen

Located in Topeka, KS

Incredible 1950-1960’s Scandinavian Modern teak 4 drawer low cabinet sideboard (or bench) Model #394 by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard Odder. This piece has been attributed bas...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

4 Luxo Angle Poise Task Lamps

$150 / item

H 18.5 in W 9 in D 9 in

4 Luxo Angle Poise Task Lamps

By Luxo

Located in New York, NY

Adjustable flex arm task lamp made by LUXO made in Denmark c 1960-1980's. The lamps are designed to be attached with screws, each has two flex arms, each arm approximately 20 inches ...

Category

Late 20th Century Danish Post-Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Set of Four Vico Magistretti Style Pine and Rush Dining Chairs

$2,750 / set

H 29.5 in W 19.25 in D 16.5 in

Mid-Century Set of Four Vico Magistretti Style Pine and Rush Dining Chairs

By Vico Magistretti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of 4 Vico Magistretti style pine dining chairs with woven rush seats and a curved backrest. Beautiful grained pine wood with round legs and light patina. In original condition wi...

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Rush, Pine

Mid-Century Brutalist Wenge Framed Stone Topped Coffee or Side Table with Shelf

On Hold|~~$1,250~~

H 15.5 in W 35.375 in D 35.375 in

Mid-Century Brutalist Wenge Framed Stone Topped Coffee or Side Table with Shelf

By Martin Visser

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Mid-Century Brutalist stone topped coffee or side table with Wenge frame, lower shelf and asymmetrical legs. Earth toned slate tiles inset into frame with floating lower shelf. Light...

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone

Vintage magazine rack from the 1960s-1970s

$326

H 11.42 in W 17.72 in D 10.24 in

Vintage magazine rack from the 1960s-1970s

Located in Hannover, DE

Small midcentury magazine rack from Denmark. Good vintage condition. Teak wood frame. Further details on request.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Majuli Bronze Cane Trolley, Viya by Vikram Goyal

$2,880 / item

H 34.5 in W 16.5 in D 28 in

Majuli Bronze Cane Trolley, Viya by Vikram Goyal

By Viya by Vikram Goyal

Located in Noida, DL

Majuli Bronze Cane Trolley, Viya by Vikram Goyal Sinuous forms in a captivating rhythm of deftly woven cane, evoke the dynamic flow of Assam's rivers. The collection’s namesake, the...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Brass

Impressive Brutalist Style Wall Light / Sconce Metal Sculpted lights gold brass

$1,446 / set

H 31.5 in W 8.27 in D 2.76 in

Impressive Brutalist Style Wall Light / Sconce Metal Sculpted lights gold brass

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

From our own new modern design collection: This gorgeous pair of metal sculpted brutalist styled wall lights / wall sculpture. Inspired by the abstract and unique style of the brut...

Category

2010s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

1970s Swedish Pine Chair and Ottoman

$3,500

H 35.5 in W 33.25 in D 38 in

1970s Swedish Pine Chair and Ottoman

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Turners Falls, MA

1970’s Swedish Pine Chair and Ottoman. Made of solid pine with turned wood supports. Beautiful wood grain details. Chair dimensions: 33.25” wide x 35.5 high x 38 deep. Seat 14 Otto...

Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Pine

Pair of Black Wrought Iron and Blue Purple & Aqua Terrazzo Tile Tables, 1950s

$3,000 / set

H 16 in W 12.5 in D 12.5 in

Pair of Black Wrought Iron and Blue Purple & Aqua Terrazzo Tile Tables, 1950s

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Pair Wrought Iron and Terrazzo Tile End Tables in Aqua, Royal Blue & Violet. Featuring sturdy open Black Wrought Iron solid square rod frameworks, mosaic surfaces with reflective...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood Denmark - 1960s

$2,723

H 31.89 in W 16.54 in D 15.75 in

Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood Denmark - 1960s

Located in Berlin, DE

Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood, Denmark - 1960s.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Stilux wall lamps, set of 2, Italy 1960s

$4,800 / set

H 10 in W 5.5 in D 9 in

Stilux wall lamps, set of 2, Italy 1960s

By Stilux

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Stilux wall lamps, set of 2. Designed and made in Italy, 1960s Chrome plated metal, enameled metal. Shade diameter 5.5 inches. Depth roughly 10-14.5 inches Take one medium bulb each....

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Cognac Italian Lounge Chair

$3,800

H 34 in W 30 in D 36 in

Cognac Italian Lounge Chair

Located in Miami, FL

Low-slung Italian lounge chair from the 1970's, showcasing the bold, sculptural lines and relaxed sensibility of the era. Featuring an ebonized wood frame with sweeping curves, the p...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Ebony

Mid Century Butterfly Chair with Black Canvass Sling

$475

H 34 in W 30 in D 24 in

Mid Century Butterfly Chair with Black Canvass Sling

By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Knoll

Located in New York, NY

Midcentury butterfly chair with yellow canvas sling seat. Clean, ready to use condition. Please view the companion chair with yellow seat, we have listed separately.

Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

1960s Arne Norell Rosewood Leather Sling Sirocco Safari Lounge Chair Mid-Century

$2,316Sale Price|20% Off

H 28 in W 26 in D 26 in

1960s Arne Norell Rosewood Leather Sling Sirocco Safari Lounge Chair Mid-Century

By Scanform, Arne Norell

Located in Hyattsville, MD

The Sirocco safari chair designed by Arne Norell in 1966. This example is in camel-colored leather; with two cushions and slings with brass fittings. Designed to breakdown for flat p...

Category

Vintage 1960s Colombian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather

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Plywood Shell Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of plywood shell chairs available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of plywood, wood and metal, all plywood shell chairs available were constructed with great care. Find 15 antique and vintage plywood shell chairs at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 4 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. There are all kinds of plywood shell chairs available, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Plywood shell chairs are generally popular furniture pieces, but Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Scandinavian Modern styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Plywood shell chairs have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Charles and Ray Eames, Lorenz+Kaz and Herman Miller are consistently popular.

How Much are Plywood Shell Chairs?

Plywood shell chairs can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $1,474, while the lowest priced sells for $245 and the highest can go for as much as $21,134.

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.

The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.

Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Chair Shook Modernism and Charmed Hollywood

The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.

Herman Miller Got Its Start in the Office, but Its Legacy Is in the Home

The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.