Sori Yanagi Rosewood Butterfly Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Sori Yanagi rosewood butterfly stool. Early and excellent example of this mid century classic.
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Stools
Brass
Sori Yanagi Rosewood Butterfly Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Sori Yanagi rosewood butterfly stool. Early and excellent example of this mid century classic.
Brass
Rare Oversized Puzzle Sculpture by Sori Yanagi - 1970
By Sori Yanagi
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Rare Sori Yanagi 5-Level Oversized Wood Puzzle Sculpture This striking oversized wood puzzle sculpture was created by renowned Japanese designer Sori Yanagi, celebrated worldwide fo...
Wood
Rare Oversized Puzzle Sculpture by Sori Yanagi - 1970
By Sori Yanagi
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Rare Sori Yanagi 3-Level Oversized Wood Puzzle Sculpture This striking oversized wood puzzle sculpture was created by renowned Japanese designer Sori Yanagi, celebrated worldwide fo...
Wood
Sori Yanagi White Elephant Stool for Kotobuki, 1960s
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
An iconic mid-century design by Japanese master Sori Yanagi. The Elephant Stool embodies simplicity, functionality, and sculptural beauty.
Fiberglass
Japanese Sake Glass Set by Sori Yanagi, 1970s
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A masterpiece of Japanese design, these vintage sake glasses by Sori Yanagi embody the harmony of form and function.
Glass
1970s Large Wooden Puzzle Sculpture Inspired by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Its refined construction and emphasis on modular geometry recall the spirit of postwar Japanese design and the formal experimentation associated with Sori Yanagi. Balancing intellect...
Wood
Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi, Japan, 1980s, simple, wabi-sabi.
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
An iconic “Butterfly” stool by Sori Yanagi, combining Japanese craftsmanship with modernist elegance in a fluid sculptural form.
Wood
Wall Mirror, Sori Yanagi for Akita Mokko, Japan, 1980s, Wabi Sabi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A beautifully crafted round mirror designed by Sori Yanagi for Akita Mokko. The solid wood frame, finished in a warm brown tone, reflects Yanagi’s philosophy of organic simplicity — ...
Glass, Wood
Set of 3 Prototype Elephant Stools attributed to Sori Yanagi, 1950s
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Set of 3 Elephant Stools attributed to Sori Yanagi, 1950s Probably Prototypes. They are made of a plastic mixture and appear to be prototypes or molds.
Plastic
$480Sale Price / item|31% Off
Elephant Stool by Sori Yanagi for Vitra, Mid-Century Modern, 1990
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Centreville, VA
The Elephant Stool, designed by Sori Yanagi for Vitra, is a playful yet elegantly crafted piece that showcases the harmonious blend of function and aesthetic appeal.
Plastic
Oversized Wooden Puzzle Sculpture in the Style of Sori Yanagi, France
By Sori Yanagi
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
This exceptional oversized wooden puzzle sculpture features an intricate geometric structure of interlocking spheres and rods, forming a striking polyhedral design. Both a puzzle and...
Wood
Efebo Stool by STACY DUKES for ARTEMIDE
By Stacy Dukes
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
The front legs are reminiscent of Yanagi Sori's elephant stool, but the back legs have a streamlined shape that fits the body, making it suitable for children, and the overall chair ...
Fiberglass
Sori Yanagi Side Chairs for Kotobuki, Pair, Designed in 1969
By Kotobuki, Sori Yanagi
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Stackable side chairs designed by Sori Yanagi in 1969 and manufactured by Kotobuki.
Steel
Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanaga
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Japan. Birch frame with brass stretcher. Signed
Brass
Wooden Sori Yanagi "Butterfly" Stool in Molded Plywood by Tendo Japan, 1980s
By Sori Yanagi, Tendo Mokko
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and iconic wooden mid century "butterfly" stool in molded plywood by Sori Yanagi for Tendo Mokko Japan, 1980s. In good condition and purchased by the previous owner on a busines...
Plywood
Rare Japanese Stool by Soetsu Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Uccle, BE
His son, Sori Yanagi, was a renowned industrial designer.
Seagrass, Cherry
Sori Yonagi for Hida Bleached Oak Table and Chairs Reissue 2022
By Sori Yanagi, Hida
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Sōri Yanagi died in 2011 at the age of 96. Key designs Elephant Stool, 1954 Butterfly Stool, 1956 Honours Honorary Royal Designer for Industry (UK), 2008
Oak
Red elephant stool by Vilmer, Spain, 1980
By Sori Yanagi
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Very nice red "elephant" stool attributed to sori yanagi produced by vilmer in the 1980s. This stool is one of the best known examples of post-war Japanese design with a clear form a...
Fiberglass
Red Elephant Stool by Vilmer, Spain, 1980
By Sori Yanagi
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Very beautiful red "elephant" stool attributed to sori yanagi for vilmer in the 1980s. This stool is one of the best known examples of post-war Japanese design with a clear form and ...
Fiberglass
Pair of Rare Geometric Wood Puzzle Sculptures - France - 1970s
By Sori Yanagi
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
This pair of oversized wooden puzzle sculptures showcases interlocking spheres and rods, forming striking geometric and molecular-like designs. Playful yet architectural, these mid-...
Wood
Minimalist Stacking Chair by +55design – Inspired by Yanagi’s Butterfly Stool
By Ilse Lang
Located in Jardim America, SP
This elegant stacking chair, designed by Ilse Lang, is a sophisticated reinterpretation of the structural purity found in Sori Yanagi’s renowned Butterfly Stool. Stripped down to its...
Metal
Rare Midcentury Japanese Double Teardrop Rattan Suite by JRB Co. Tokyo — c.1960s
By Sori Yanagi, Yamakawa Rattan, Isamu Kenmochi, Tito Agnoli, Paul Frankl
Located in Rochester, NY
Japan’s golden age of rattan (1950s–70s) brought incredible Western Art Deco and island modernist designs to patio sets like this one. This is a rare set of double teardrop arms with...
Rattan
Harvey Probber Knights Bench Model 1173 c. 1950 mid century modern
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
This bench would work well as a sculptural seating element in a room, at a vanity, in a foyer, or extra seating in a living room. Similar form to the Sori Yanagi Butterfly stool wit...
Brass
Brown Stoneware Bowl by Gerd Bogelund for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, 1950s
By Royal Copenhagen, Gerd Bogelund, Axel Salto
Located in Malmö, SE
She was awarded an artist's medal at the Milan Triennale 1957 alongside other famed modernist artists/designers such as Sori Yanagi and Kaj Franck.
Ceramic, Stoneware
Pair of Kabuto Chairs by Isamu Kenmochi for Tendo Mokko
By Tendo Mokko, Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Isamu Kenmochi is one of the pioneers of modern Japanese design, along with designers such as Sori Yanagi and Riki Watanabe. He is also a founding member of the Japan Industrial Desi...
Plywood
$3,250 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3511 Walnut Table
By George Nakashima, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Reminiscent of the organic modern designs of George Nakashima, Pierre Chapo and Sori Yanagi. Ideal as a low side table or coffee table for smaller spaces.
Walnut
Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko Japan Mid-Century Modern Stacking Stool
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in St. Louis, MO
He was a founding member of the Japan Industrial Designers, which included Sori Yanagi and Riki Watanabe. He also collaborated with Isamu Noguchi on furniture in the early 1950s.
Beech
Brown Stoneware Vase by Gerd Bogelund for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, 1950s
By Axel Salto, Gerd Bogelund, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Malmö, SE
She was awarded an artist's medal at the Milan Triennale 1957 alongside other famed modernist artists/designers such as Sori Yanagi and Kaj Franck.
Ceramic, Stoneware
Stoneware Vase by Gerd Bogelund for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, 1950s
By Gerd Bogelund, Axel Salto, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Malmö, SE
She was awarded an artist's medal at the Milan Triennale 1957 alongside other famed modernist artists/designers such as Sori Yanagi and Kaj Franck.
Ceramic, Stoneware
$4,000 / set
Pair of Armchairs by Isamu Kenmochi for Kotobuki
By Isamu Kenmochi, Kotobuki
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
By making it possible to create free three-dimensional curved surfaces that were impossible with conventional molded plywood, Isamu Kenmochi, Sori Yanagi, Kenzo Tange, and other desi...
Acrylic
Japan Furniture Exhibition '61
By Sori Yanagi
Located in New York, NY
The 24 page catalog presents chairs, tables, and case pieces by prominent Japanese architects and designers including Katsuo Matsamura, Taichiro Nakai, Kozo Asari, Hideo Saito, Takes...
Paper
Sori Yanagi Oversized Puzzle Sculpture
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Bastrop, TX
Sori was the son of the Japanese Folk Crafts Museum founder, Soetsu Yanagi.
Wood, Teak
Vintage "Butterfly" Stool by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Isle sur la Sorgue, Provence
Stool "Butterfly" by Sori Yanagi
Brass
Kotobuki Chair by Sori Yanagi, 1969
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Venezia, VENETO
Designed in 1969 by Sori Yanagi, the Kobotuki chair has a comfortable FRP shell seat, steel plated legs and original black and yellow upholstery.
Steel
Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi for Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Berkeley, CA
Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi for Tendo Mokko made of maple plywood.
Mid-Century Fiberglass Stool in the Style of Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Treasure Island, CA
Three-legged stool in the style of Sori Yanagi. Unsigned, circa 1960s. Fiberglass, metallic paint.
Fiberglass
Vitra Miniature Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi, Vitra
Located in New York, NY
As a student in the 1940s Sori Yanagi accompanied Charlotte Perriand on her trips through Japan, thus becoming familiar with the classical Moderns.
Plywood
Unavailable
H 15.15 in W 16.43 in D 12 in
Original Rosewood "Butterfly" Stool Designed by Sori Yanagi, circa 1950, Japan
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Barcelona, ES
'Butterfly' stool was designed in Japan by Sori Yanagi. It is made of rosewood and brass. circa 1950, Japan.
Brass
Vitra Butterfly Stool in Rosewood by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi, Vitra
Located in New York, NY
These items are only available in the United States. The butterfly stool uniquely combines Eastern forms with the plywood molding technique developed by Charles and Ray Eames. The...
Plywood
Vitra Butterfly Stool in Maple by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi, Vitra
Located in New York, NY
These items are only available in the United States. The butterfly stool uniquely combines Eastern forms with the plywood molding technique developed by Charles and Ray Eames. The...
Plywood
Vitra Elephant Stool in Cream by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi, Vitra
Located in New York, NY
These items are only available in the United States. The Elephant Stool is one of the most famous examples of Japanese post-war design. Its clear form and functionality are as com...
Plastic
Vitra Elephant Stool in Black by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi, Vitra
Located in New York, NY
These items are only available in the United States. The elephant stool is one of the most famous examples of Japanese post-war design. Its clear form and functionality are as com...
Plastic
Unavailable
H 15 in W 16.5 in D 12 in
Sori Yanagi / Tendo Co. Ltd. / Japanese Crafts "Butterfly" Stool, circa 1956
By Sori Yanagi
Located in New York, NY
Sori Yanagi (1915-2012), Japan. Tendo Co. Ltd., Japan.
Brass
Original Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi for Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi, Tendo Mokko
Located in Chicago, IL
Sori Yanagi designed Butterfly stool in 1956.
Brass
original Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool
Located in Pasadena, CA
Original Sori Yanagi butterfly stools. Japanese product designer Sori Yanagi created home items with a high level of modernist and minimalist elements.
Wood
Armchair X by Tendo Mokko, circa 1960
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Venezia, VENETO
Design lovers will appreciate the leg shape which is very similar to Sori Yanagi items from the same period (and manufacturer).
Upholstery, Wood
Japanese Mid-Century Design "Kabuto" Lounge Chair
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Meguro-ku, JP
"Kabuto" chairs have been made by Tendo who manufactured the famous "Butterfly” stool designed by Sori Yanagi.
Steel
Japanese Mid-Century Design "Kabuto" Dining Chair
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Meguro-ku, JP
"Kabuto" chairs have been made by Tendo who manufactured the famous "Butterfly” stool designed by Sori Yanagi.
Steel
Onda Stool
By Ilse Lang
Located in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul
Inspired in Sori Yanagi's butterfly stool, onda subverts its seating position to feature high ergonomic quality.
Stainless Steel
Japanese Bamboo Stool Attributed to Hosai Yokota
By Yokota Hōsai
Located in Lille, Hauts-de-France
A stool attributed to Hosai Yokota, in bamboo, realized by Takashimaya department stores, Japan The same model exhibited for "Le Salon des Arts Ménagers" (SAM) in 1957 for the arran...
Bamboo
Japanese Style Rosewood Plywood Seats
By Kenji Fujimori
Located in Meguro-ku, JP
Vintage Japanese style rosewood plywood seats manufactured by TENDO in Japan. The Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool is a famous product manufactured by TENDO.
Rosewood, Plywood
Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Sori Yanagi black fiberglass Elephant stool.
Fiberglass
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Phoenix, AZ
A Sori Yanagi butterfly stool for Tendo in bent rosewood and brass.
Brass
Butterfly chair by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Butterfly chair by Sori Yanagi, Japan, designed 1954
Brass
Sori Yanagi Rosewood Butterfly Stools
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Pair of Sori Yanagi butterfly stools executed in rosewood.
Rosewood
Original Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original production Sori Yangai "Butterfly" stool, very good vintage condition.
Butterfly stool by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Centreville, VA
Ease of travel in the jet age encouraged a growing fusion of cultural influences after World War II. Although Yanagi's stool was designed and manufactured in Japan, it employs Weste...
Maple
Early Sori Yanagi Rosewood "Butterfly" Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Dallas, TX
An early rosewood Butterfly stool designed by Sori Yanagi.
Vintage "Butterfly" Stool by Sori Yanagi
By Sori Yanagi
Located in New York, NY
A vintage "Butterfly" rosewood stool with brass separator by Sori Yanagi for Tendo. Japan, circa 1960. Signed with impressed stamp to underside.
Rosewood
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 plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
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