Shell Arm Chair
Late 20th Century Art Deco Club Chairs
Wrought Iron
Antique 1820s French Louis Philippe Armchairs
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
1990s American Rococo Chairs
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s Lounge Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Zinc
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Chairs
Fruitwood
Vintage 1950s American Modern Side Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century Colombian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1970s French Lounge Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1920s French Provincial Chairs
Giltwood
20th Century Chairs
Canvas
2010s American Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s American American Classical Rocking Chairs
Cherry
Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Chairs
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1980s American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Shell, Bouclé, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1950s Bergere Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Oak, Down
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Swivel Chairs
Leather, Faux Leather, Walnut, Bentwood
20th Century English Queen Anne Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs
Burl
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs ...
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Naugahyde, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Upholstery, Plywood
Mid-20th Century American Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Bergere Chairs
Giltwood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
2010s Italian Swivel Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
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Shell Arm Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Shell Arm 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.
- What are Shell Chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023Shell 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?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Whether 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Chairs with arms are called armchairs, and there are many styles of them. Examples include club, wingback and roll arm chairs. Find a collection of armchairs on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A chair with arms is an armchair.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024The 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Whether 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023There is no difference between a club chair and an armchair; a club chair is a type of armchair. An armchair is any chair with arms, while a club chair is a wide, comfortable type of armchair that is typically clad in leather and features thick upholstery. All club chairs are armchairs, but not all armchairs are club chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of club chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Dining room chairs with arms require more space than armless ones.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023An accent chair with no arms is typically called a slipper chair. These upholstered chairs originated in Europe during the 18th century and often served as seating in bedrooms. Today, people place slipper chairs in seating areas as well as bedrooms. Find a variety of slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dining chair with arms is called a carver chair or elbow chair. It is a traditional dining chair with arms added to it for a more structured look and is a popular option for dining seats for a spot to comfortably rest your arms. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Dining chairs without arms are called side chairs. Their counterpart, the armchair, is often found at the head of the table, with the side chairs filling in the seats along the side of the table. Shop a collection of side chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dining room chairs with arms are simply called armchairs. They are not to be confused with armchairs used in seating areas. A dining chair without arms is a side chair. You'll find a collection of antique and vintage dining chairs on 1stDibs.
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