Shell Chair Fiberglass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
20th Century American Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1970s American Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Space Age Lounge Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass, Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal, Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century French Space Age Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
2010s Italian Space Age Lounge Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
2010s Italian Space Age Lounge Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century Czech Gustavian Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Laminate, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Early 20th Century American Club Chairs
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Modern Side Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass, Wood
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1980s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
2010s Italian Space Age Swivel Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
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Shell Chair Fiberglass For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Shell Chair Fiberglass?
Materials: Plastic Furniture
Arguably the world’s most ubiquitous man-made material, plastic has impacted nearly every industry. In contemporary spaces, new and vintage plastic furniture is quite popular and its use pairs well with a range of design styles.
From the Italian lighting artisans at Fontana Arte to venturesome Scandinavian modernists such as Verner Panton, who created groundbreaking interiors as much as he did seating — see his revolutionary Panton chair — to contemporary multidisciplinary artists like Faye Toogood, furniture designers have been pushing the boundaries of plastic forever.
When The Graduate's Mr. McGuire proclaimed, “There’s a great future in plastics,” it was more than a laugh line. The iconic quote is an allusion both to society’s reliance on and its love affair with plastic. Before the material became an integral part of our lives — used in everything from clothing to storage to beauty and beyond — people relied on earthly elements for manufacturing, a process as time-consuming as it was costly.
Soon after American inventor John Wesley Hyatt created celluloid, which could mimic luxury products like tortoiseshell and ivory, production hit fever pitch, and the floodgates opened for others to explore plastic’s full potential. The material altered the history of design — mid-century modern legends Charles and Ray Eames, Joe Colombo and Eero Saarinen regularly experimented with plastics in the development of tables and chairs, and today plastic furnishings and decorative objects are seen as often indoors as they are outside.
Find vintage plastic lounge chairs, outdoor furniture, lighting and more on 1stDibs.
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023To restore an Eames fiberglass chair, wash it gently with a soft bristle brush and dish soap in warm water. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe off the soap, and then dry with another cloth. You can use a safe wax for fiberglass to enhance the shine. Shop a collection of Eames chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023To identify an Eames fiberglass chair, flip it over and check the underside of the seat for a label. What information appears on the label varies, but most will say "The Herman Miller Furniture Company" and "Charles Eames." You may also see "Zenith Plastics," a reference to the company that manufactured the fiberglass. Some chairs made during the 1960s may have the Herman Miller name in raised letters directly on the seat. Newer chairs may display a "Vitra" label instead of "Herman Miller." A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can help with the identification process. Find a selection of Eames fiberglass chairs on 1stDibs.
- 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 ExpertJune 15, 2023To identify a Herman Miller fiberglass chair, look for the legendary manufacturer’s specific logomarks on the product (these logomarks can be found on the company’s official website). There is also the manufacturing label, which is usually found under the seat. All of the classic Herman Miller designs are paired with a certificate of authenticity. Some designs may also have a medallion attached to certify their authenticity. You can then check trusted online resources to determine if the information on the label is correct for the style of chair. Because there are many convincing reproductions out there, you may also wish to have a certified appraiser assist you with the authentication process. Find authentic Herman Miller chairs on 1stDibs.
- 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.
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