White Shell Chair
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Corner Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
2010s Italian Chairs
Steel
2010s Italian Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Chairs
Shell, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
1990s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
Bouclé
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Polystyrene
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Swivel Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Side Chairs
Steel
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood
2010s Danish Modern Lounge Chairs
Foam, Beech, Fabric
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Textile, Beech
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Chairs
Leather
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Textile, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Plastic
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Fruitwood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chairs
Aluminum
Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Chairs
Aluminum
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
2010s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
Metal, Other
Antique 1760s English George II Wingback Chairs
Muslin, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 1740s English Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Muslin, Mahogany
Vintage 1970s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Plastic
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s German Space Age Side Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Aluminum
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White Shell Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a White Shell 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.
- 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.
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