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Shell Back Chair

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20th Century Pair of Boudoir Shell-Back Chairs, c.1950
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Elegant mid-20th century pair of boudoir occasional chairs with a sweeping shell shaped back. These
Category

20th Century Club Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Vintage Hollywood Regency Art Deco Fan / Shell - Back Chairs - Grosfeld House
Located in Chicago, IL
Glamour Pair of Vintage Asymmetrical Fan back chairs. Style of Dorothy Draper / Gilbert Rohde
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Vintage Hollywood Regency Art Deco Fan Shell - Back Chairs - Grosfeld House
Located in Chicago, IL
Glamour Pair of Vintage Asymmetrical Fan back chairs. Original upholstery looks pretty nice. May
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Gold Leaf Venetian Grotto Style Shell Back Chair
By Tony Duquette
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique gold leaf Venetian grotto style shell back armchair. Seat has been newly reupholstered in
Category

Vintage 1980s Spanish Rococo Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Set of Four Vintage Shell Back Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of four vintage shell back chairs, black with chevron pattern. Midcentury metal chair newly
Category

20th Century American Regency Revival Chairs

Materials

Metal

Six Italian Decorative Venetian Shell Back Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
. Shell-back chairs.  
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of 1940s Modernist Club Chairs in Original Bone Glazed Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
not. Possibly the inspiration for the Karpen Co. shell back chair of similar shape and style
Category

Vintage 1940s American Club Chairs

Materials

Brass

Vintage Shell Back Midcentury Grotto Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
Reupholstered in Michelle Nussbaumer Ikat Fabric
Category

Mid-20th Century American Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Large American Shell Back Rocking Chair C.1950
Located in Accrington, GB
, large in size and has a superb style to it with a high shell back, curved arm rest, love heart shape
Category

Vintage 1950s American American Classical Rocking Chairs

Materials

Cherry

Large American Shell Back Rocking Chair C.1950
Large American Shell Back Rocking Chair C.1950
H 45.48 in W 26.38 in D 44.89 in
Shell Back Lounge Chair by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare shell back lounge chair designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb.
Category

Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs

Materials

Maple

Postmodern Purple Ascending Clam Shell Back Swivel Chairs - a Pair
Located in Delray Beach, FL
The Postmodern Purple Ascending Clam Shell Back Swivel Chairs, a pair, offer a bold and elegant
Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Postmodern Maroon Faux Leather Clam Shell Back Barrel Chairs - a Pair
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Discover the elegance of Maroon Faux Leather Clam Shell Back Barrel Chairs. With their unique
Category

Vintage 1980s American Club Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather

Set of 3 Regency Gillows, Shell Back Hall Chairs, 19th Century
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality set of three Regency period Mahogany Gillow Shell backed hall chairs
Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Club Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Spectacular Pair Widdicomb Louis XV Fauteuil Chairs Tortoise Shell Caned Back
By John Widdicomb
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Spectacular pair of John Widdicomb caned back Louis XV Fauteuils chairs. We love the stunning
Category

Vintage 1960s American Louis XV Bergere Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Wood

Hans Wegner Model CH22 Shell Back Paddle Armchair
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stamford, CT
Oak armchair with wide paddle form arms and sculpted and inlaid back. Also having a Danish paper
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Papercord, Oak

Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Textile

Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Grotto Shell Chairs, Three Available
Located in New York, NY
Hand-carved fruitwood frames with stylized dolphin-form arm from the mid 1900s. The chairs has very
Category

Mid-20th Century Chairs

Materials

Fruitwood

Fine circa 1780 Georgian Shell Back Hall Chair Gillows of Lancaster Attributed
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Georgian circa 1780 Cuban mahogany hall chair
Category

Antique 1780s English Georgian Side Chairs

Materials

Hardwood

Single Mid-Century Modern H Paul Browning Shell Back Dining Chair
By H. Paul Browning 1
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern H Paul Browning shell back walnut dining chair Offered is a vintage Mid
Category

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

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Set of 8 Venetian Grotto Style Scalloped Shell Back Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Add a daringly stylish essence to your dining room design with these Grotto style shell back dining
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Ebony Carved Grandfather Shell Mark Chair
Located in Hudson, NY
The Grandfather shell mark chair, shown here, is from Ceylon, circa 1820. Featuring an exquisite
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Chairs

Materials

Cane, Ebony

English Walnut Upholstered Wing Back Chair with Shell Knee & Spanish Feet C 1760
Located in Hollywood, SC
English walnut upholstered wing back chair with scrolled arms, carved shell knee, and terminating
Category

Antique 1760s English George II Wingback Chairs

Materials

Muslin, Walnut

Gray Boucle 'Shell' Chair, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Gray Boucle 'Shell' Chair, Europe, 1960s
Gray Boucle 'Shell' Chair, Europe, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Dark Green Velvet 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Dark Green Velvet 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Dark Green Velvet 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Yellow Ochre Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Yellow Ochre Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Yellow Ochre Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Dark Gray Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Dark Gray Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Dark Gray Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Eight Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of eight beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Eight Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Eight Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Midcentury Pink Bouclé 'Shell' Chair, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Chippendale Style Ribband Back Side Chair
Located in Wilson, NC
Chippendale style ribband back side chair, variations of this chair can been seen in Thomas
Category

Antique 1890s English Chippendale Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany

Mid-Century Yellow Mustard 'Shell' Chair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Dark Green Velvet 'Shell' Chair, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Dark Green Velvet 'Shell' Chair, Europe, 1960s
Dark Green Velvet 'Shell' Chair, Europe, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Six Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of six beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Six Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, Poland, 1960s
Six Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, Poland, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Two Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Two beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Two Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Two Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern H Paul Browning Shell Back Dining Chairs
By H. Paul Browning 1
Located in Wilmington, DE
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern H Paul Browning shell back walnut dining chairs Offered is a vintage
Category

Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Walnut

English Queen Anne Mahogany Wing Back Chair with Shell Knee on Pad Feet, C. 1740
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Queen Anne Mahogany upholstered wingback chair with flanking flared wings, flanking
Category

Antique 1740s English Queen Anne Wingback Chairs

Materials

Muslin, Mahogany

Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern H Paul Browning Shell Back Dining Chairs
By H. Paul Browning 1
Located in Wilmington, DE
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern H Paul Browning shell back walnut dining chairs. Offered is a
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Set of Twelve Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of twelve beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Four Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of four beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Four Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Set of Four Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Chocolate Brown 'Shell' Chair, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Mid-Century Yellow Mustard 'Shell' Chair, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Two Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Two beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Two Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Set of Two Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Shell Chair by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A laminated orange lacquered "shell" lounge chair with upholstered seat and back.
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Shell Chair by Hans J. Wegner
Shell Chair by Hans J. Wegner
H 29 in W 37.5 in D 31 in
Pair of Lucite Shell Swivel Chairs
By Erwine & Estelle Laverne
Located in New York, NY
Stylish pair of swivel chairs each having a curved Lucite back with vinyl pad seat, mounted on a
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Lucite Shell Swivel Chairs
Pair of Lucite Shell Swivel Chairs
H 24.75 in W 28.25 in D 18 in
Set of Eight Pink Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of eight beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Four Gray Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Nine Gray Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Six Dark Gray Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of six beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Ten Dark Gray Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of 10 Beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Two Yellow Ochre Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Two beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Ten Dark Green Velvet 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Four Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Four beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Two Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Two beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Mid-Century Emerald Green Velvet 'Shell' Chair, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful chair type 1020 colloquially called "shell" produced by the Slupsk centre of furniture
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Twelve Yellow Ochre Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Twelve beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Four Yellow Ochre Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Four beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Eight Yellow Ochre Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Eight beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Twelve Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Twelve beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Ten Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Ten beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Eight-Light Crème Boucle 'Shell' Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Eight beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

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Shell Back Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the shell back chair you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, fabric and metal, every shell back chair was constructed with great care. Find 82 options for an antique or vintage shell back chair now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the shell back chair you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Each shell back chair bearing Hollywood Regency, Mid-Century Modern or Art Deco hallmarks is very popular. A well-made shell back chair has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Brown Jordan, Charles and Ray Eames and H. Paul Browning are consistently popular.

How Much is a Shell Back Chair?

A shell back chair can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,637, while the lowest priced sells for $550 and the highest can go for as much as $25,000.

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.

Questions About Shell Back Chair
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
    Shell 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    Whether 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A bow back chair refers to a silhouette of a chair with a curved back and is usually made with high-quality wood. Bow back chairs were popular during the colonial period and are representative of American-Amish heritage. Browse a range of vintage bow back chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A lyre back chair is a type of furniture used for seating that originated during the early 18th century. It features a square back embellished with wood shaped like a lyre, an ancient stringed musical instrument. On 1stDibs, find a variety of lyre back chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A channel back chair is a chair that features deep channels in the upholstery along the back. These can create a seashell-like effect. This kind of back may also be called a fluted back. On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage and new channel back chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    A splat back chair is a chair with a vertical central element on its back. Splat back chairs have more of a formal feel to them compared to other types of chairs and seating. Splat back Windsor chairs are popular on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yoke back chairs are those that feature a curved top rail and a single central splat. The style of chair originated in China during the 10th century and was a common feature in Chinese homes by the 12th century. On 1stDibs, shop a range of yoke back chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    A Windsor back chair is a solid wooden chair with an arched spindle back. Most designs have curved arms positioned on angled stands and carved legs connected by a cross stretcher. The chair gets its name from the English city of Windsor, where the chairs were first made in the 18th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Windsor back chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024
    The back of a chair is called a chair back. In some cases, you may see people use modifiers to describe the styles of chair backs. For example, a chair with two crisscrossing cross rails is an X-back or cross back, while a chair with a series of horizontal cross rails positioned parallel to one another is a ladder back. Explore a wide range of chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    A low-back chair is designed to provide lumbar support to the lower back and mid-back. These chairs have a small backrest that reaches till the middle of one's back. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary low back chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A spoon back chair is an accent chair that features a deep curved back that forms arms along the sides of the furniture by sloping downward. Most spoon back chairs have wooden backs and upholstered seats. Find a variety of spoon back chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    A sling chair is usually made up of a framework connected by ropes or fabric hanging between the poles or frame. This design results in a structure quite similar to a sling stretcher.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A comb back chair is a style of chair featuring a back resembling a comb. Comb back chairs are also known as Windsor chairs and are typically crafted with a cage-like backing. Shop a selection of comb back chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A balloon back chair is a specific type of seat that became popular during the Victorian era. It features a curved back that tapers as it travels down to the seat. Many balloon back chairs are armless, and nearly all examples feature upholstered seats. You'll find a range of balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    The 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, 2022
    Whether 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 ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A high back office chair has a tall backrest to provide support to both your back and neck. It helps minimize the risk of chronic neck and back problems. These chairs also come with wheels attached for ease of mobility. Shop a range of antique and vintage high back office chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Countless chair styles have incorporated rounded backs over the centuries, including the famous club chair. Some interior designers favor round-back chairs for their sleek curvatures. Shop a collection of rounded back chairs from some of the world’s top sellers Oon 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Reupholster a barrel back chair by first removing the old upholstery from the chair. Use the old pieces of material as a guide to help you cut the new upholstery into properly sized pieces. Reupholster the chair by using a furniture stapler to re-secure the new upholstery in the same manner that the old upholstery was attached. Shop a range of vintage and contemporary barrel back chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    While cane back chairs have been made around the globe for thousands of years, it was in the 1970s that this style took the world by storm and became a must for many households. It’s the organic, natural look of a cane back chair that made it so desirable and that makes it a modern furniture element as well, with its tropical vibe and vacation attitude. Shop a collection of cane back chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.