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Plywood Shell Chairs

Sculptural Shell Lounge Chair, Italy, 1980s
Sculptural Shell Lounge Chair, Italy, 1980s

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" features a unique cocoon-like design, expertly crafted from hand-assembled birch plywood.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood, Birch

Black Metal & Pagwood 1960s Chairs with Pagholz Shells
Black Metal & Pagwood 1960s Chairs with Pagholz Shells

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 been replaced so they are not all the same (see the last pictures). Only 4 can be pu...

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

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

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

By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn

Located in Little Burstead, Essex

When Hans J. Wegner designed this chair in 1963 it was a little too radical for the public and it was sold in very low numbers, and because of this when the world became aware of the...

Category

1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak, Walnut, Plywood

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

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 design by Arne Jacobsen: the famous Model 3107, also known as the Series 7 chair. A time...

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

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 Fratelli Saporiti (ca. 1960s, Italy).

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

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

By Niko Kralj

Located in Ljubljana, SI

Niko Kralj elevated the Shell Chair to a new level, displaying the infinite possibilities of the shell concept.

Category

2010s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Series 7 Side Chairs, 3
Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Series 7 Side Chairs, 3

Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Series 7 Side Chairs, 3

By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen

Located in Astoria, NY

Set of Three Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Series 7 Style Side Chairs, plywood shells on tubular chrome legs. 31" H x 17.75" W x 15" D; seat: 17" H.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Series 7 Style Side Chairs, 3
Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Series 7 Style Side Chairs, 3

Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Series 7 Style Side Chairs, 3

By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen

Located in Astoria, NY

Set of Three Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Series 7 Style Side Chairs, plywood shells on tubular chrome legs. 31" H x 17.75" W x 15" D; seat: 17" H.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

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

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).

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

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

By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen

Located in Dubai, AE

Lynderup is a flexible stacking chair with plywood shells, designed by Børge Mogensen in 1954.

Category

2010s Latvian Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Lella and Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Chairs, 1960s
Pair of Lella and Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Chairs, 1960s

Pair of Lella and Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Chairs, 1960s

By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova

Located in Raleigh, NC

The leather softens the angular geometry of the plywood shells. The Saratoga chair, designed in 1964, represents the Vignellis' approach to furniture as sculptural objects with bold...

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

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).

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

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

By Niko Kralj, Stol Kamnik

Located in Beograd, RS

In this listing you will find a pair of the iconic Mid Century Modern armchairs "Lupina" designed by Niko Kralj. The chair feature plywood shell attached to the black lacquered steel...

Category

Vintage 1950s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

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

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

By Stol Kamnik, Niko Kralj

Located in Beograd, RS

In this listing you will find a pair of iconic Mid Century Modern armchairs "Lupina" designed by Niko Kralj. The chair features plywood shell attached to the steel construction, beec...

Category

Vintage 1950s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Recent Sales

Beige Wool Shell Dining Chair by Lesniewski, 1960s
Beige Wool Shell Dining Chair by Lesniewski, 1960s

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 Fabryki Mebli in Poland. The structure is made of plywood and beech wood. The upholst...

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

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 manufactured by Slupskie Fabryki Mebli in Poland. The structure is made of plywood and beech. ...

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

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 manufactured by Slupskie Fabryki Mebli in Poland. The structure is made of plywood and beech. ...

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Beech, Plywood, Velvet

Arne Jacobsen Set of Four 3107 Chairs in Rosewood
Arne Jacobsen Set of Four 3107 Chairs in Rosewood

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

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
Hans Wegner Molded Walnut Plywood Shell Chair

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 late 1990's.

Category

Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Ray Komai Chairs
Ray Komai Chairs

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 back strap detail.Model number 939 manufactured by JG Furniture Co.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

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 tubular enameled metal legs and frames.

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

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

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 have well crafted black fabric cushioned backs and seats with a celebrated design a...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Plywood

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

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 brown tones paired with robust tubular metal frames finished in dark gray enamel.

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Ib Kofod Larsen 'Shell' Chair for Christensen & Larsen
Ib Kofod Larsen 'Shell' Chair for Christensen & Larsen

Ib Kofod Larsen 'Shell' Chair for Christensen & Larsen

By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Christensen & Larsen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This sculptural chair features a laminated plywood backrest and wide, bent-plywood seat with teak veneer.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Teak, Bentwood, Plywood

Green Shell Dining Chairs Eddie Harlis
Green Shell Dining Chairs Eddie Harlis

Green Shell Dining Chairs Eddie Harlis

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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 by the German Eddie Harlis & manufactured by the design furniture firm Thonet. The s...

Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Plywood

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

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

Located in Hannover, DE

Plywood shells, carefully restored and oiled. Chrome tubular steel frames have been polished.

Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Fantasy Coral Chairs
Fantasy Coral Chairs

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 applied ornamentation of shells, faux coral, gilded trim, and plaster-dipped sheeting.

Category

1990s Chairs

Materials

Shell, Oak, Plywood

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

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/ 25 1/4" Literature: Johan Möller Nielsen, Wegner en danskmöbelkunstner, Gyldenda...

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

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

Please note the price listed is for a pair "two chairs" Specification: Upholstered seat and back cushions in white leather Shell and legs are made of wood, pressed veneer, plywo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Plywood

Black Lacquered Scandinavian Shell Seat Rocking Chair with Blue Fabric
Black Lacquered Scandinavian Shell Seat Rocking Chair with Blue Fabric

Black Lacquered Scandinavian Shell Seat Rocking Chair with Blue Fabric

Located in Vienna, AT

This very charming Rocking chair was designed in the 1960s, its shell seat seams to be a little inspired by Charles Eames Rocking Chair for Herman Miller.

Category

Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Børge Mogensen Teak Shell Chairs
Set of Four Børge Mogensen Teak Shell Chairs

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 Furniture in the 1960s. These sculptural chairs are as comfortable as they are elegan...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Plywood, Teak, Wood

Two Lounge Chairs Miroslav Navratil with Fiberglass Shell and Original Cover
Two Lounge Chairs Miroslav Navratil with Fiberglass Shell and Original Cover

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 and original cover.

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

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 fabric cover.

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

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 Italian manufacturer Arflex.  The October 1962 issue of 'DOMUS' confirms that the ...

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Hans J. Wegner FH1936 Shell Chair in Beach / Teak Wood and Bouclé, Frith Hansen
Hans J. Wegner FH1936 Shell Chair in Beach / Teak Wood and Bouclé, Frith Hansen

Hans J. Wegner FH1936 Shell Chair in Beach / Teak Wood and Bouclé, Frith Hansen

By Hans J. Wegner, Fritz Hansen

Located in Amsterdam, NL

The frame is executed with traditional cabinetmaker's work in solid beech wood and two molded plywood shells in teak veneer. The chair is in very good solid condition and has some ol...

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Beech, Teak

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

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

By Fritz Hansen, Hans J. Wegner

Located in Amsterdam, NL

The frame is executed with traditional cabinetmaker's work in solid beech wood and two molded plywood shells in teak veneer. The chair has some old joint repairs and is upholstered a...

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Beech, Teak

Kho Liang Le for Car Catwijk Industrial Stacking Chairs
Kho Liang Le for Car Catwijk Industrial Stacking Chairs

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.

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Kho Liang Le for Car Catwijk Industrial Stacking Chairs
Kho Liang Le for Car Catwijk Industrial Stacking Chairs

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.

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Fritz Hansen Style Blonde Square Backed Stacking Chairs
Fritz Hansen Style Blonde Square Backed Stacking Chairs

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.

Category

Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Late 20th Century Hans Wegner, Shell Chair
Late 20th Century Hans Wegner, Shell Chair

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

The CH07 shell chair was created in 1963 by the Danish designer Hans J.

Category

Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Plywood

Late 20th Century Hans Wegner, Shell Chair
Late 20th Century Hans Wegner, Shell Chair

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

The CH07 shell chair was created in 1963 by the Danish designer Hans J.

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

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).

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Paint, Oak, Plywood

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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.