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Original Josef Frank pair of Windsor Chairs, Modell A 945/2F
Original Josef Frank pair of Windsor Chairs, Modell A 945/2F

Original Josef Frank pair of Windsor Chairs, Modell A 945/2F

By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Josef Frank

Located in Vienna, AT

(MHA) Original condition Adolf Loos and Josef Frank adopted this model inspired by 18th-century Windsor chairs. The prototype of this piece of bentwood furniture can be found in th...

Category

Vintage 1920s Austrian Art Deco Chairs

Materials

Beech

Cranbrook School Chair from USA
Cranbrook School Chair from USA

Cranbrook School Chair from USA

Located in Sagaponack, NY

This chair is a prototype purported to have been made by a student or professor at the Cranbrook School of Art.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Lounge Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Mid Century 70s Iconic "Acton Stacker" Turquoise Textile, Chrome Chairs-Set of 5
Mid Century 70s Iconic "Acton Stacker" Turquoise Textile, Chrome Chairs-Set of 5

Mid Century 70s Iconic "Acton Stacker" Turquoise Textile, Chrome Chairs-Set of 5

By Hugh Acton

Located in Madison, WI

Good vintage condition, all original. These iconic chairs were first prototyped in 1962 by Hugh Acton.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Cranbrook School Chair from USA
Cranbrook School Chair from USA

Cranbrook School Chair from USA

Located in Sagaponack, NY

This chair is a prototype purported to have been made by a student or professor at the Cranbrook School of Art.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

Iconic Eero Aarnio Orange Pastil Chair
Iconic Eero Aarnio Orange Pastil Chair

Iconic Eero Aarnio Orange Pastil Chair

By Eero Aarnio

Located in New York, NY

Eero Aarnio made the first prototype of the Pastil chair out of polystyrene, which helped him to verify the measurements, ergonomics and rocking ability.

Category

2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Iconic Eero Aarnio Green Pastil Chair
Iconic Eero Aarnio Green Pastil Chair

Iconic Eero Aarnio Green Pastil Chair

By Eero Aarnio

Located in New York, NY

Eero Aarnio made the first prototype of the Pastil chair out of polystyrene, which helped him to verify the measurements, ergonomics and rocking ability.

Category

2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Iconic Eero Aarnio Pink Pastil Chair
Iconic Eero Aarnio Pink Pastil Chair

Iconic Eero Aarnio Pink Pastil Chair

By Eero Aarnio

Located in New York, NY

Eero Aarnio made the first prototype of the Pastil chair out of polystyrene, which helped him to verify the measurements, ergonomics and rocking ability.

Category

2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Iconic Eero Aarnio Yellow Pastil Chair
Iconic Eero Aarnio Yellow Pastil Chair

Iconic Eero Aarnio Yellow Pastil Chair

By Eero Aarnio

Located in New York, NY

Eero Aarnio made the first prototype of the Pastil chair out of polystyrene, which helped him to verify the measurements, ergonomics and rocking ability.

Category

2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Iconic Eero Aarnio Black Pastil Chair
Iconic Eero Aarnio Black Pastil Chair

Iconic Eero Aarnio Black Pastil Chair

By Eero Aarnio

Located in New York, NY

Eero Aarnio made the first prototype of the Pastil chair out of polystyrene, which helped him to verify the measurements, ergonomics and rocking ability.

Category

2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Iconic Eero Aarnio Blue Pastil Chair
Iconic Eero Aarnio Blue Pastil Chair

Iconic Eero Aarnio Blue Pastil Chair

By Eero Aarnio

Located in New York, NY

Eero Aarnio made the first prototype of the Pastil chair out of polystyrene, which helped him to verify the measurements, ergonomics and rocking ability.

Category

2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Iconic Eero Aarnio White Pastil Chair
Iconic Eero Aarnio White Pastil Chair

Iconic Eero Aarnio White Pastil Chair

By Eero Aarnio

Located in New York, NY

Eero Aarnio made the first prototype of the Pastil chair out of polystyrene, which helped him to verify the measurements, ergonomics and rocking ability.

Category

2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Ineke Hans Mindrocker chair Droog Design Netherlands 2004
Ineke Hans Mindrocker chair Droog Design Netherlands 2004

Ineke Hans Mindrocker chair Droog Design Netherlands 2004

By Droog, Ineke Hans

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

Mindrocker chair prototype designed by Ineke Hans and manufactured by Droog Design in The Netherlands 2004.

Category

Early 2000s Dutch Lounge Chairs

Materials

Polyester

Mid-Century Modern German Lounge Chair by Albert Haberer, 1950s
Mid-Century Modern German Lounge Chair by Albert Haberer, 1950s

Mid-Century Modern German Lounge Chair by Albert Haberer, 1950s

By Albert Haberer

Located in Berlin, DE

A rare prototype easy chair designed by Albert Haberer in the 1950s, Germany.

Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Oak

'Pillow Lounge Chair' in Red Lacquer and Faux Fur by Schimmel & Schweikle
'Pillow Lounge Chair' in Red Lacquer and Faux Fur by Schimmel & Schweikle

'Pillow Lounge Chair' in Red Lacquer and Faux Fur by Schimmel & Schweikle

By alfa.brussels

Located in Antwerp, BE

Pillow lounge chair (prototype) Sizes: width 129 cm, depth 118 cm, height 87 cm material: wood, PU-foam, faux fur, car paint edition: prototype, unique piece.

Category

2010s European Lounge Chairs

Materials

Faux Fur, Lacquer

Eero Aarnio 1st Series Pastil Chair Bright Orange 1967 by Asko Finland Pop Art
Eero Aarnio 1st Series Pastil Chair Bright Orange 1967 by Asko Finland Pop Art

Eero Aarnio 1st Series Pastil Chair Bright Orange 1967 by Asko Finland Pop Art

By Asko, Eero Aarnio

Located in Munster, NRW

Eero Aarnio - 1st series Pastil Chair in bright orange, 1967 by Asko, Finland. Eero Aarnio made the first prototype of the Pastil chair out of polystyrene, which helped him to verif...

Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Space Age Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

80s Memphis Milano Prototype Cardboard Chair
80s Memphis Milano Prototype Cardboard Chair

80s Memphis Milano Prototype Cardboard Chair

By Memphis Milano

Located in Wien, AT

Crafted entirely from cardboard, this piece was conceived as a prototype—a bold and experimental form that captures the radical spirit and avant-garde approach that defined the Memph...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Brutalist Armchairs

Materials

Paper

Set of 8 Ebonized Velvet High Back Chiavari Dining Chairs by Ezio Minotti , 1955
Set of 8 Ebonized Velvet High Back Chiavari Dining Chairs by Ezio Minotti , 1955

Set of 8 Ebonized Velvet High Back Chiavari Dining Chairs by Ezio Minotti , 1955

By Ezio Minotti

Located in Rome, IT

Rare set of eight high back side Chiavari ebonized dining chairs, by Ezio Minotti in 1955. Ebonized wood, white velvet fabric Very good condition Measures: 50cm x 40 cm, height: 132...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Richard Schultz Prototype Swell outdoor lounge chair
Richard Schultz Prototype Swell outdoor lounge chair

Richard Schultz Prototype Swell outdoor lounge chair

By Richard Schultz

Located in Chicago, IL

Richard Schultz Prototype Swell lounge chair From Richard Schultz Design, Inc.

Category

Early 2000s American Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Unique Large-Scale Model of Gerrit Rietveld's "Aluminium Stoel"
Unique Large-Scale Model of Gerrit Rietveld's "Aluminium Stoel"

Unique Large-Scale Model of Gerrit Rietveld's "Aluminium Stoel"

By Gerrit Rietveld

Located in Dronten, NL

Nederlandsche Aluminium Maatschappij, Rietveld's design was a bold experiment in material and minimalism, translating his revolutionary De Stijl geometries into the language of singl...

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch De Stijl Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Chaise Meribel by Charlotte Perriand, French Design, Circa 1960
Chaise Meribel by Charlotte Perriand, French Design, Circa 1960

Chaise Meribel by Charlotte Perriand, French Design, Circa 1960

By Charlotte Perriand

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

An icon of the most renowned French designer of the 20th century, the inimitable Charlotte Perriand. The first prototypes of this chair were designed during the designer's time in J...

Category

Vintage 1960s French Chairs

Materials

Rush, Wood

Willy Guhl Prototype Loop Chairs and Table
Willy Guhl Prototype Loop Chairs and Table

Willy Guhl Prototype Loop Chairs and Table

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Important set of concrete chairs and matching table. Likely a prototype for the widely known Loop Chairs.

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Cement

Gunnar Daan High Kids Chair Prototype, 1966
Gunnar Daan High Kids Chair Prototype, 1966

Gunnar Daan High Kids Chair Prototype, 1966

By Gunnar Daan

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

This chair was designed by Gunnar Daan and made for their own children.

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture

Materials

Metal

Miniature Prototype "Sole" Table & Chairs Set by Piero Fornasetti
Miniature Prototype "Sole" Table & Chairs Set by Piero Fornasetti

Miniature Prototype "Sole" Table & Chairs Set by Piero Fornasetti

By Piero Fornasetti

Located in New York, NY

Rare and spectacular set of Miniature Prototype Table and Chairs by Piero Fornasetti, Italy circa 1970's.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wood

Rare Prototype of ClassiCon Munich Lounge Chair Black Leather
Rare Prototype of ClassiCon Munich Lounge Chair Black Leather

Rare Prototype of ClassiCon Munich Lounge Chair Black Leather

By Sauerbruch Hutton

Located in Munich, Bavaria

Model Munich lounge chair designed by Sauerbruch & Hutton. Manufactured by Classicon.

Category

Early 2000s German Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Scarf Lounge Chair by Franck Genser, France, Contemporary Design (Prototype)
Scarf Lounge Chair by Franck Genser, France, Contemporary Design (Prototype)

Scarf Lounge Chair by Franck Genser, France, Contemporary Design (Prototype)

By Franck Genser

Located in PARIS, FR

Scarf Lounge Chair by Franck Genser, France, 2026 Prototype from the Scarf collection by French designer Franck Genser, presented during a professional design exhibition.

Category

2010s French Armchairs

Materials

Polyester, Oak

Important Early Prototype French Helicopter Chairs Attributed to Louis Breguet
Important Early Prototype French Helicopter Chairs Attributed to Louis Breguet

Important Early Prototype French Helicopter Chairs Attributed to Louis Breguet

Located in New York, NY

Pair of rare prototypes from the early history of the helicopter: Two French helicopter chairs including pilot and co-pilot's seats attributed to Louis Breguet similar to those of th...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Industrial Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Important French Modernist Prototype Desk & Chair by Robert Mallet-Stevens
Important French Modernist Prototype Desk & Chair by Robert Mallet-Stevens

Important French Modernist Prototype Desk & Chair by Robert Mallet-Stevens

By Robert Mallet-Stevens

Located in New York, NY

Rare handmade French early Mid-Century Modern desk and chair in hand-formed and hand-hammered (non-commercially produced) tubular steel by the visionary French modernist, Robert Mall...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Bespoke side table, by legendary craftsman L. Rossi
Bespoke side table, by legendary craftsman L. Rossi

Bespoke side table, by legendary craftsman L. Rossi

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Please see our other listing being Ann's original c.1810 antique prototype chair that Rossi reproduced for her collection.

Category

Late 20th Century American End Tables

Materials

Wood

William Katavolos Prototype Arm Chair in Brushed Steel with Black Leather
William Katavolos Prototype Arm Chair in Brushed Steel with Black Leather

William Katavolos Prototype Arm Chair in Brushed Steel with Black Leather

By William Katavolos

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a developmental prototype arm chair in Brushed Steel and Black Leather, designed by Bill or Wililam Katavolos and produced by Gratz Industries in 2009.

Category

2010s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

William Katavolos Prototype Arm Chair in Brushed Bronze with Tan Leather
William Katavolos Prototype Arm Chair in Brushed Bronze with Tan Leather

William Katavolos Prototype Arm Chair in Brushed Bronze with Tan Leather

By William Katavolos

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a prototype arm chair in Brushed Bronze with Tan leather, designed by Bill or William Katavolos and produced by Gratz Industries in 2009.

Category

2010s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Pr. 1930's Machine Age Art Deco Arm Side Dining Chairs possibly Prototypes
Pr. 1930's Machine Age Art Deco Arm Side Dining Chairs possibly Prototypes

Pr. 1930's Machine Age Art Deco Arm Side Dining Chairs possibly Prototypes

By John Carpenter, McKay Furniture Corp.

Located in New York, NY

Unusual pair of period Machine Age arm chairs, having chrome plated steel frames, wood seating backrests, and leather upholstered armrests.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Machine Age Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Thinking Man's Chair by Jasper Morrison
Thinking Man's Chair by Jasper Morrison

Thinking Man's Chair by Jasper Morrison

Located in London, England

First prototyped in 1985, the chair was originally painted in red oxide rust-proofing paint.

Category

1990s Italian Other Armchairs

Materials

Steel

All Original 1915 De Stijl Childs Chair
All Original 1915 De Stijl Childs Chair

All Original 1915 De Stijl Childs Chair

Located in Peekskill, NY

This hand made prototype or child's size chair is a original survivor of the art and design movement De Stijl.

Category

Early 20th Century De Stijl Children's Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pierre Jeanneret Early 1950s Bamboo and Rope Chairs, PJ-SI-04-A, Chandigarh
Pierre Jeanneret Early 1950s Bamboo and Rope Chairs, PJ-SI-04-A, Chandigarh

Pierre Jeanneret Early 1950s Bamboo and Rope Chairs, PJ-SI-04-A, Chandigarh

By Pierre Jeanneret

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Rare pair of early Easy Chair prototypes attributed to Pierre Jeanneret, dating to circa 1953–1954 and believed to predate the later, more widely known teak armchair designs.

Category

Vintage 1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Poul Kjaerholm Aluminium Chair Competetition drawing poster 1953 Danish Design
Poul Kjaerholm Aluminium Chair Competetition drawing poster 1953 Danish Design

Poul Kjaerholm Aluminium Chair Competetition drawing poster 1953 Danish Design

By Poul Kjærholm

Located in WIJCKEL, NL

Here is a very rare and desirable vintage Competition drawing poster displaying a 1953 prototype representation of the Aluminium chair by the Danish designer Poul Kjærholm.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Posters

Materials

Paper

Pair of Slatted Lounge chairs, Móveis de Madeira Pailar, 1960s Brazilian design
Pair of Slatted Lounge chairs, Móveis de Madeira Pailar, 1960s Brazilian design

Pair of Slatted Lounge chairs, Móveis de Madeira Pailar, 1960s Brazilian design

By Móveis de Madeira Pailar

Located in New York, NY

Initially mistaken for a prototype of the Costela Chair by Martin Eisler, designed in 1953, our research suggests the Pailar Lounge Chair was created later, likely inspired by Eisler...

Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Collector's Piece/Extremely Rare Model 13 Armchair, Alvar Aalto, Early 1930s
Collector's Piece/Extremely Rare Model 13 Armchair, Alvar Aalto, Early 1930s

Collector's Piece/Extremely Rare Model 13 Armchair, Alvar Aalto, Early 1930s

By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab

Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa

The details of the legs, featuring a stepped design, point to early prototypes. The Chair Model 13, with its sharply curved back, was introduced in 1932.

Category

Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Beech

4 black wooden armchairs by Eric Raffy, Grande edition, covered in fabric, 80s
4 black wooden armchairs by Eric Raffy, Grande edition, covered in fabric, 80s

4 black wooden armchairs by Eric Raffy, Grande edition, covered in fabric, 80s

By Pascal Mourgue

Located in Paris, FR

The wood is black and the foam seats are upholstered in green and black speckled fabric. . These four chairs are prototypes and have not been marketed.

Category

Vintage 1980s French Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Customizable GLOOH Height Adjustable Stool by KFF
Customizable GLOOH Height Adjustable Stool by KFF

Customizable GLOOH Height Adjustable Stool by KFF

By KFF

Located in New York, NY

One design concept — many prototypes: be they conventional chairs, catilevers or barstools including the pneumatic spring type, GLOOH, aside from having an extensive range and comfor...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Stools

Materials

Leather

Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool with Cantilever in Grey Leather by KFF
Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool with Cantilever in Grey Leather by KFF

Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool with Cantilever in Grey Leather by KFF

By KFF

Located in New York, NY

Fabric is less expensive One design concept — many prototypes: be they conventional chairs, catilevers or barstools including the pneumatic spring type, GLOOH, aside from having an ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Stools

Materials

Leather

GLOOH Tall Bar Stool with Cantilever in Black Leather by KFF
GLOOH Tall Bar Stool with Cantilever in Black Leather by KFF

GLOOH Tall Bar Stool with Cantilever in Black Leather by KFF

By KFF

Located in New York, NY

Fabric is less expensive One design concept — many prototypes: be they conventional chairs, catilevers or barstools including the pneumatic spring type, GLOOH, aside from having an ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Stools

Materials

Leather

Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool  by KFF
Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool  by KFF

Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool by KFF

By KFF

Located in New York, NY

Fabric is less expensive One design concept — many prototypes: be they conventional chairs, catilevers or barstools including the pneumatic spring type, GLOOH, aside from having an e...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Stools

Materials

Leather

Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool with Cantilever by KFF
Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool with Cantilever by KFF

Customizable GLOOH Bar Stool with Cantilever by KFF

By KFF

Located in New York, NY

Fabric is less expensive One design concept — many prototypes: be they conventional chairs, catilevers or barstools including the pneumatic spring type, GLOOH, aside from having an ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Stools

Materials

Leather

20 Century Seats (Book)
20 Century Seats (Book)

20 Century Seats (Book)

Located in North Yorkshire, GB

Cite Universitaire, Antony, 1954 (Chair) 29 Carlo Mollino, Stuhl aus dem Restaurant Pavia in Cervinia, 1954 (Chair) 30 Carlo Mollino, Polaroid, ca.1960 31 Dieter Rams, Klappstuhl-Pr...

Category

20th Century Books

Materials

Paper

Poul Kjaerholm PK80 Daybed in Rustic Leather by Fritz Hansen
Poul Kjaerholm PK80 Daybed in Rustic Leather by Fritz Hansen

Poul Kjaerholm PK80 Daybed in Rustic Leather by Fritz Hansen

By Fritz Hansen

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

There he designed several noteworthy chair prototypes. His ideology, “I am trying to express the very language of the materials themselves.” speaks through his pieces with simple ele...

Category

2010s Danish Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Steel

Poul Kjaerholm PK80 Daybed in Natural Canvas by Fritz Hansen
Poul Kjaerholm PK80 Daybed in Natural Canvas by Fritz Hansen

Poul Kjaerholm PK80 Daybed in Natural Canvas by Fritz Hansen

By Fritz Hansen

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

There he designed several noteworthy chair prototypes. His ideology, “I am trying to express the very language of the materials themselves.” speaks through his pieces with simple ele...

Category

2010s Danish Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Steel

Poul Kjaerholm PK33 Stool in Rustic Leather by Fritz Hansen
Poul Kjaerholm PK33 Stool in Rustic Leather by Fritz Hansen

Poul Kjaerholm PK33 Stool in Rustic Leather by Fritz Hansen

By Fritz Hansen

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

There he designed several noteworthy chair prototypes. His ideology, “I am trying to express the very language of the materials themselves.” speaks through his pieces with simple ele...

Category

2010s Danish Stools

Materials

Steel

Poul Kjaerlohm for Fritz Hansen PK 31 Easy Armchair in Ivory White Leather 1958
Poul Kjaerlohm for Fritz Hansen PK 31 Easy Armchair in Ivory White Leather 1958

Poul Kjaerlohm for Fritz Hansen PK 31 Easy Armchair in Ivory White Leather 1958

By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm

Located in Brooklyn, NY

He moved on to work at Fritz Hansen, for about a year, where he designed a number of noteworthy chair prototypes. In 1955, Kjærholm started collaborating with manufacturer Ejvind Kol...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Henry Glass Prototype Folding Sling Chair
Henry Glass Prototype Folding Sling Chair

Henry Glass Prototype Folding Sling Chair

By Henry Glass

Located in New York, NY

Prototype folding chair of tubular metal with plastic ball caps and its original yellow mesh fabric sling dating to the late 1950’s or early 1960’s.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Richard Schultz Prototype Aluminum Stacking Chair #2
Richard Schultz Prototype Aluminum Stacking Chair #2

Richard Schultz Prototype Aluminum Stacking Chair #2

By Richard Schultz

Located in New York, NY

Prototype stacking chair hand-built of aluminum by furniture designer and artist Richard Schultz as a full-size 3-D model exploring the ergonomic and sculptural qualities of a design...

Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Richard Schultz Prototype Aluminum Stacking Chair #1
Richard Schultz Prototype Aluminum Stacking Chair #1

Richard Schultz Prototype Aluminum Stacking Chair #1

By Richard Schultz

Located in New York, NY

Prototype stacking chair hand-built of an aluminum sheet and tubular aluminum by furniture designer and artist Richard Schultz as a full-size 3-D model exploring the ergonomic and sc...

Category

1990s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

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Prototype Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the prototype chair you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, metal and fabric, every prototype chair was constructed with great care. If you’re shopping for a prototype chair, we have 88 options in-stock, while there are 4 modern editions to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the prototype chair you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A prototype chair is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Scandinavian Modern styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one prototype chair that is appealing in its simplicity, but Rob Edley Welborn, ClassiCon and Gruppo Alchimia produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Prototype Chair?

Prices for a prototype chair can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $550 and can go as high as $95,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,500.

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.