Pair Butterfly Chair
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century German Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Hide, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1970s Japanese Showa Chairs
Plywood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Side Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Side Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Regency Lounge Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Rosewood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Antique 19th Century Bergere Chairs
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1950s American Modern Antiquities
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
20th Century English Country Armchairs
Velvet
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Upholstery
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Textiles
Silk
2010s American Organic Modern Armchairs
Wood
Vintage 1980s Singaporean Armchairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
Antique 19th Century Unknown Neoclassical Armchairs
Leather, Elm
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Cherry
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Chinese and East Asian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1960s American Brutalist Side Tables
Metal
20th Century Italian Ceramics
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Chinese and East Asian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Chinese and East Asian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Chinese and East Asian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Cowhide
Early 20th Century Argentine Modern Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Bergere Chairs
Silk
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Silk, Wood
Vintage 1960s French Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Antique 1890s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Oak
Late 20th Century Singaporean Armchairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Late 20th Century Singaporean Armchairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Armchairs
Walnut
20th Century American Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1970s Unknown Chairs
Iron
Late 20th Century Modern Chairs
Lacquer, Wood
Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bamboo
Vintage 1960s Unknown Chairs
Vintage 1950s American Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1940s Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
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Pair Butterfly Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Pair Butterfly 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy designed the Butterfly chair. The trio met while working in Le Corbusier's studio and then moved to Argentina, where they founded the Grupo Austral. In 1938, they unveiled their now iconic chair, which was inspired by a previous work called Tripolona, which they designed using inspiration from folding, collapsible chairs used by the British military. Shop a collection of Butterfly 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022The Butterfly chair, also known as the BKF or Hardoy chair, was made in 1938 in Buenos Aires. It is recognizable by its metal frame and suspended seat, created by the large sling of material hung from the frame’s highest points. Shop the unique style from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024Whether or not Butterfly chairs are comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. Many people find that the way the upholstery of the Butterfly chair hangs from its metal frame provides plenty of support for the body. Plus, its sling design invites users to settle in and relax. Shop a collection of Butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Butterfly chairs were popular in the 1950s. Due to a renewed interest in mid-century modern design, the chairs are also used to decorate homes today. The original name of the butterfly chair is the BKF after its three designers, Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy. You'll find a range of butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who made the butterfly chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy made the butterfly chair. The three architects created the design in 1938 at their firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their design draws inspiration from Joseph Beverly Fenby's Tripolina chair produced in 1877. Shop a variety of butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022What pairs well with the CH07 chair by Hans Wegner is largely a matter of personal preference. To keep the eye focused on its dramatic curves, some interior decorators pair it with simple boxy sofas and tables. Feel free to experiment and create your own furniture layouts using the CH07 or shell chair. Find a collection of Hans Wegner CH07 shell chairs on 1stDibs.
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