Shell Back Design Chairs
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
Maple
Vintage 1960s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
Fabric
Antique 1880s English George II Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1980s American Club Chairs
Faux Leather
Vintage 1950s Danish Modern Chairs
Papercord, Oak
Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
2010s Danish Chairs
Textile
2010s German Chairs
Leather, Fabric
2010s Italian Swivel Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Textile, Ash
2010s Italian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Steel, Other
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood, Beech, Teak
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel, Chrome
2010s Dutch Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s South African Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Minimalist Chairs
Paint, Oak, Plywood
2010s Italian Space Age Lounge Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
Early 2000s Danish Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Plywood
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Cane, Wood
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Textile, Ash
2010s Dutch Lounge Chairs
Leather, Textile, Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wood, Plywood
2010s Italian Space Age Lounge Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
2010s Italian Space Age Lounge Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Teak
Antique Mid-18th Century English Queen Anne Side Chairs
Walnut, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood, Plywood
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Oak, Walnut, Plywood
2010s South African Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass, Steel
2010s South African Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass, Steel
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
2010s Italian Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Swivel Chairs
Leather, Faux Leather, Walnut, Bentwood
2010s Dutch Lounge Chairs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Lounge Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Modern Side Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Teak, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
2010s Italian Swivel Chairs
Leather
2010s Italian Swivel Chairs
Leather
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Shell Back Design Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Shell Back Design Chairs?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Vladimir Kagan designed the Shield Back chair, which debuted in 1955. It features an upholstered back and seat. Cabinetmaker George Hepplewhite is also known for creating an all-wood shield back chair sometime during the mid-18th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of shield back chairs.
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