Shell Chair Vintage
1940s Italian Art Deco Shell Chair Vintage
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Beech, Teak
Late 20th Century Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Beech, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Coconut
1980s American Post-Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Iron
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal, Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fabric, Fiberglass, Oak
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Leather, Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1960s Shell Chair Vintage
Iron
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Oak, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Beech, Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Aluminum
1960s Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century French Space Age Shell Chair Vintage
Fabric, Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Aluminum
1960s Shell Chair Vintage
Iron
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fabric, Plywood
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Beech, Textile
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Velvet, Oak
Mid-20th Century Shell Chair Vintage
Fruitwood
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal
1960s Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Beech, Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Shell Chair Vintage
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Fiberglass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Textile, Beech
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Textile, Beech
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Textile, Beech
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shell Chair Vintage
Metal, Aluminum
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Shell Chair Vintage For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Shell Chair Vintage?
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, 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022Many factors like wood, construction, and patina come into play when you date a vintage chair. If you can’t find a maker’s mark or any other kind of identifying mark on the piece, consult a furniture encyclopedia or a certified expert. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of vintage chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023To be vintage, a chair typically needs to be at least 20 years old, while a chair older than 100 years is an antique. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, vintage and modern dining chairs from some of the world's top sellers.
- Is my vintage Eames chair real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To know if your vintage Eames chair is real, check for a reclining mechanism. On original chairs, the back had a permanent reclined position, so no mechanism is necessary. Also, a vintage piece is around 32 inches high, while later reproductions are normally bigger. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of expertly vetted Eames chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023To tell how old a vintage chair is, first try and locate the manufacturer's label, tag or mark. Typically, identifying markings and tags appear under cushions or on the undersides of chairs. You may find that the date of manufacturing appears on the label or tag. If not, check trusted online resources to find out when the manufacturer was in business to make an estimate of the age. When in doubt, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or antiques dealer to help you date a particular chair. Find an assortment of antique, vintage and modern chairs on 1stDibs.
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