Shell Seat
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Plastic
Antique 1860s English Georgian Animal Sculptures
Creamware, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass, Oak
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
2010s English Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Oak
Vintage 1950s Czech Chairs
Upholstery, Laminate, Beech
Vintage 1950s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s French Chairs
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Early 2000s English Modern Stools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Armchairs
Leather
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Teak
Vintage 1950s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Antique Early 1800s Italian Baroque Chairs
Silver Leaf
Vintage 1960s American Space Age Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Steel
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Plastic
2010s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Modern Side Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century English Space Age Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Modern Armchairs
Steel
2010s Dutch Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Furniture
Wood
Vintage 1950s Furniture
Wood
2010s American Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s American Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
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Shell Seat For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Shell Seat?
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.
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The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.