Vintage Clam Chair
1950s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Wood
1950s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Beech
1940s Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Bentwood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Fabric, Upholstery, Faux Fur, Beech
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Bouclé, Birch
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Leather, Faux Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Vintage Clam Chair
Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Upholstery, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Beech
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Beech
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Pine
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Wood
1990s American Post-Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Bouclé
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Linen, Beech
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Bentwood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Pine
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Oak
1940s Norwegian Vintage Clam Chair
Birch
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Beech, Birch
Mid-20th Century Italian Vintage Clam Chair
Wood
1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Teak
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Beech
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Vintage Clam Chair
Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Sheepskin, Wood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Alpaca, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Vintage Clam Chair
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Beech
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Wrought Iron
1950s Italian Vintage Clam Chair
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Vintage Clam Chair
Aluminum
Late 20th Century American Vintage Clam Chair
Aluminum
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Metal, Chrome
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Clam Chair
Velvet, Upholstery
1960s European Post-Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Leather, Wool, Pine
1960s Vintage Clam Chair
Iron
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Leather, Foam
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Iron
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Vintage Clam Chair
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Leather, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Wrought Iron
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Bouclé, Upholstery
1950s American Vintage Clam Chair
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Wrought Iron
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Clam Chair
Steel
- 1
Vintage Clam Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vintage Clam Chair?
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.
- Is the Clam chair comfortable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Yes, the Clam chair is comfortable. Arnold Madsen designed the angle of the seat and the curving contours of the iconic chair to fit the shape of the human body so that the piece could provide optimal support. Although for decades, the piece was the victim of cheap reproductions and misattributions, to fellow Scandinavians Viggo Boesen and Martin Olsen, among others, in recent years it has steadily climbed the ranks in the trophy market, going for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction. Today, it’s one of the fashion set’s most beloved pieces, with fans as starry as Los Angeles art dealer Maggie Kayne and style setter Vanessa Traina. Find a range of Clam chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the clam chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Arnold Madsen designed the Clam chair. In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen, an upholsterer by profession who created it in Copenhagen in 1944. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Clam chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.