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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

of this design attributed to the company. Initially mistaken for a prototype of the Costela Chair by

Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

4 black wooden armchairs by Pascal Mourgue, covered in fabric, 1980s
4 black wooden armchairs by Pascal Mourgue, covered in fabric, 1980s

4 black wooden armchairs by Pascal Mourgue, covered in fabric, 1980s

By Pascal Mourgue

Located in Paris, FR

seats are upholstered in green and black speckled fabric. . These four chairs are prototypes and have

Category

Vintage 1980s French Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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

20 Century Seats (Book)

Located in North Yorkshire, GB

Mollino, Polaroid, ca.1960 31 Dieter Rams, Klappstuhl-Prototyp, 1962 (Folding Chair Prototype) 32 Joe

Category

20th Century Books

Materials

Paper

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

Price listed for starting fabric. One design concept — many prototypes: be they conventional

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

Price listed for leather. Fabric is less expensive One design concept — many prototypes: be they

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

Price listed for leather. Fabric is less expensive One design concept — many prototypes: be they

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

Price listed for leather. Fabric is less expensive One design concept — many prototypes: be they

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

Price listed for leather. Fabric is less expensive One design concept — many prototypes: be they

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Stools

Materials

Leather

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

he designed several noteworthy chair prototypes. His ideology, “I am trying to express the very

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

designed several noteworthy chair prototypes. His ideology, “I am trying to express the very language of

Category

2010s Danish Stools

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

designed several noteworthy chair prototypes. His ideology, “I am trying to express the very language of

Category

2010s Danish Beds and Bed Frames

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 Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen

Located in Brooklyn, NY

designed a number of noteworthy chair prototypes. In 1955, Kjærholm started collaborating with manufacturer

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

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

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

Category

1990s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Vico Magistretti Prototype Chair by Cassina, 1980s
Vico Magistretti Prototype Chair by Cassina, 1980s

Vico Magistretti Prototype Chair by Cassina, 1980s

By Vico Magistretti, Poltrona Frau

Located in Basel, CH

Vico Magistretti prototype chair manufactured by Poltrona Frau in the 1980s. But came never to

Category

Vintage 1980s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Robert Whitton Powder Coat Red Prototype Chair
Robert Whitton Powder Coat Red Prototype Chair

Robert Whitton Powder Coat Red Prototype Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Prototype Chair by Masanori Umeda, 1980s
Prototype Chair by Masanori Umeda, 1980s

Prototype Chair by Masanori Umeda, 1980s

By Masanori Umeda

Located in București, B

Prototype chair designed by Masanori Umeda in the 1980s. It's made of a metal structure

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

"SO WHAT?" Prototype Chair by Christophe Pillet for XO, 1991
"SO WHAT?" Prototype Chair by Christophe Pillet for XO, 1991

"SO WHAT?" Prototype Chair by Christophe Pillet for XO, 1991

By Christophe Pillet

Located in București, B

This "So what?" prototype chair was designed by Christophe Pillet for XO in 1991. Sculptural in

Category

1990s French Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pierre Guariche Prototype Chairs
Pierre Guariche Prototype Chairs

Pierre Guariche Prototype Chairs

Unavailable|$11,500 / set

Pierre Guariche Prototype Chairs

By Pierre Guariche

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of Pierre Guariche prototype metal chairs

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Prototype Chair by Bär + Knell
Prototype Chair by Bär + Knell

Prototype Chair by Bär + Knell

By Bär + Knell

Located in Cologne, DE

speak of design with recycled plastic material. This chair is one of the first experiments and was given

Category

1990s German Modern Chairs

Pair of Unique White Lacquered Prototype Chairs
Pair of Unique White Lacquered Prototype Chairs

Pair of Unique White Lacquered Prototype Chairs

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of unique white lacquered corner chairs

Category

Vintage 1970s American Corner Chairs

Materials

Wood

Sebastien Baldini Prototype Chair
Sebastien Baldini Prototype Chair

Sebastien Baldini Prototype Chair

Located in Newburgh, NY

Faceted iron chair designed by Sebastien Baldini. Linear design evoking lines of precious stones

Category

Late 20th Century French Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Sebastien Baldini Prototype Chair
Sebastien Baldini Prototype Chair

Sebastien Baldini Prototype Chair

Located in Newburgh, NY

Faceted iron chair designed by Sebastien Baldini. Linear design evoking lines of precious stones

Category

Late 20th Century French Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Sebastien Baldini Prototype Chair
Sebastien Baldini Prototype Chair

Sebastien Baldini Prototype Chair

By Sébastien Baldini

Located in Newburgh, NY

Faceted iron chair designed by Sebastien Baldini. Linear design evoking lines of precious stones

Category

Late 20th Century French Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Prototype chair for World trade center restaurant in NYC.  Design by Peter Danko
Prototype chair for World trade center restaurant in NYC.  Design by Peter Danko

Prototype chair for World trade center restaurant in NYC. Design by Peter Danko

By Peter Danko

Located in York, PA

was in the Twin Towers that came down on September 11, 2001. This chair, as the prototype, is

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Maple

Studio Modan Prototype Cubist Chair
Studio Modan Prototype Cubist Chair

Studio Modan Prototype Cubist Chair

By STUDIO MODAN

Located in Hudson, NY

Introducing the extraordinary Studio Modan Prototype Chair from Belgium, where modern design

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chairs

Materials

Wood

Robert Whitton Prototype Foldable Drafting Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Foldable Drafting Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Foldable Drafting Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Foldable Drafting Chair
Robert Whitton Prototype Foldable Drafting Chair

Robert Whitton Prototype Foldable Drafting Chair

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Robert Whitton Prototype Foldable Drafting Chair - 2 Available
Robert Whitton Prototype Foldable Drafting Chair - 2 Available

Robert Whitton Prototype Foldable Drafting Chair - 2 Available

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Knotted Chair, White, by Marcel Wanders, Hand-Knotted Chair, 2007, Unique
Knotted Chair, White, by Marcel Wanders, Hand-Knotted Chair, 2007, Unique

Knotted Chair, White, by Marcel Wanders, Hand-Knotted Chair, 2007, Unique

By MARCEL WANDERS

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Knotted chair - White is a hand-knotted prototype chair, year of design 2007, unique piece

Category

Early 2000s Dutch Chairs

Materials

Cord, Epoxy Resin, Lacquer

Pair of Robert Whitton Side Chairs
Pair of Robert Whitton Side Chairs

Pair of Robert Whitton Side Chairs

Unavailable|$3,200 / set

Pair of Robert Whitton Side Chairs

By Robert Whitton

Located in Phoenix, AZ

This Robert Whitton prototype chair, crafted entirely from aluminum, is a striking piece of usable

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Seam Chair / Bench

Seam Chair / Bench

Unavailable|$15,500

Seam Chair / Bench

Located in New York, NY

Prototype chair and bench made from tyvex. Fired to harden and make usable.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Benches

Memphis chair "prototype"
Memphis chair "prototype"

Memphis chair "prototype"

Unavailable|$4,500

Memphis chair "prototype"

Located in Den Bommel, NL

This fantastic plywood chair gives a twist to nearly every ensemble. From 20's to 90's and from art

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery

Prototype 'S' chair
Prototype 'S' chair

Prototype 'S' chair

Unavailable|$12,000

Prototype 'S' chair

By Tom Dixon

Located in New York, NY

Painted iron, raffia.

Category

Late 20th Century Side Chairs

Prototype Jens Quistgaard SAX Folding Chair
Prototype Jens Quistgaard SAX Folding Chair

Prototype Jens Quistgaard SAX Folding Chair

By Jens Quistgaard

Located in Sittard, NL

Jens Harald Quistgaard, 1919-2008. SAX chair - Prototype, has never been put into production

Category

Late 20th Century Danish Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather

Prototype Danish Modern Lounge chair
Prototype Danish Modern Lounge chair

Prototype Danish Modern Lounge chair

Located in Seattle, WA

This prototype Danish Modern lounge chair ( designer unknown) was originally upholstered in the

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Prototype Plywood Spine side chair
Prototype Plywood Spine side chair

Prototype Plywood Spine side chair

By Xavier Matégot

Located in Den Bommel, NL

Looking for art + design combined in to one chair? Here it is! This chair is one of those design

Category

Vintage 1960s French Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Celina Prototype Brazilian Cerejeira Wood Arch Chair
Celina Prototype Brazilian Cerejeira Wood Arch Chair

Celina Prototype Brazilian Cerejeira Wood Arch Chair

Located in New York, NY

Made by Celina, this arched chair is a single prototype crafted from Brazilian Cerejeira wood. A

Category

Mid-20th Century Chairs

Midcentury Scandinavian Chair, Probably Sørlie Møbelfabrikk Workshop Prototype
Midcentury Scandinavian Chair, Probably Sørlie Møbelfabrikk Workshop Prototype

Midcentury Scandinavian Chair, Probably Sørlie Møbelfabrikk Workshop Prototype

By Sørlie Møbler

Located in Oslo, NO

Rare midcentury Scandinavian chair, Probably Sørlie Møbelfabrikk Workshop Prototype Line detail

Category

Vintage 1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

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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.