How does the Zig Zag chair work?

Gerrit Rietveld’s iconic minimalist Zig Zag Chair, designed in the 1930s, features a legless design composed of four dovetailed, interlocking wooden panels at mathematically precise angles with very few nuts and bolts. On 1stDibs, shop a wide collection of expertly-vetted Zig Zag chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.

What is the Zig Zag chair made out of?

The Zig Zag chair is made out of wood. Gerrit Rietvel created the first one out of four slabs of elm wood sometime between 1930 and 1934. Metz & Co. in Amsterdam, Netherlands, took over manufacturing and used a variety of hardwood, including pine. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Zig Zag chairs.

What is the zig-zag chair called?

The zig-zag chair is called the Zig Zag Stoel, but the most commonly used name among English speakers is the Zig-Zag chair. Introduced in 1934, the Zig-Zag chair resulted from Dutch department store Metz & Co. having enlisted Gerrit Rietveld to create a chair for mass production. “It is not a chair but a designer joke,” Rietveld famously said of the piece that would, ironically, become perhaps his most recognizable chair design. In the chair’s form, he delivered one of the earliest examples of a cantilevered seat. However, unlike cantilevered models by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, Rietveld’s didn’t rely on a metal frame. In fact, the Zig-Zag chair is constructed completely from wood, and its graphic shape is a result of exceptionally precise craftsmanship. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Gerrit Rietveld Zig-Zag chairs.

Zig Zag Sculpture

Fluid Sculpture

Car Wall Sculpture

Israeli Artist Abstract Sculpture

Alfred University Ceramics

Wood Sculpture Robert

Red Clay Pottery

Robert Cook Bronze

Bradley Wood

Waveform Carved Zig Zag Sculpture by Bradley Duncan Studio

$1,500 / item

H 48 in W 5.25 in D 3.5 in

Waveform Carved Zig Zag Sculpture by Bradley Duncan Studio

By Bradley Duncan

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Carved triangle waveform Douglas fir, paint Measures: 48” x 5.25” x 3.5” 2017 8 LBS Waveform: Burnt with an icon of authenticity Produced by hand in Los Angeles, CA. from re...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Carole EisnerZig Zag

$4,800Sale Price|20% Off

H 18 in W 21 in D 18 in

Zig Zag

By Carole Eisner

Located in New York, NY

Scrap metal

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Tucker RobbinsHollow Zig Zag, Ebonized Blacknut, Unknown

$3,800

H 17.5 in W 27 in

Hollow Zig Zag, Ebonized Blacknut

Located in Hudson, NY

Forms derived from the Mayan church columns of Chajul, Guatemala are reinterpreted by the master carvers of the Oku tribes in the African grasslands of Cameroon. Evoking the storytel...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Jane B. GrimmZig Zag / ceramic wall sculpture - cream, white, neutral 36 x 36 in, 2020

$4,500

H 36 in W 36 in D 1.5 in

Zig Zag / ceramic wall sculpture - cream, white, neutral 36 x 36 in

By Jane B. Grimm

Located in Burlingame, CA

create a zig-zag motif. Tiles are mounted to a white wood panel. A neutral work of art showcasing

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Wood, Paint

Fletcher Benton Bronze Abstract Sculpture, "Folded Circle Zig Zag 1994", Signed

$9,800Sale Price|72% Off

H 19 in W 15 in D 15 in

Fletcher Benton Bronze Abstract Sculpture, "Folded Circle Zig Zag 1994", Signed

By Fletcher Benton

Located in New York, NY

Fletcher Benton Bronze Sculpture, "Folded Circle Zig Zag 1994", Signed. Medium scale Hard-Edge

Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Bronze

1960s F.A.I.P. Chinoiserie Table Lamp With New Shade

$880

H 28.5 in Dm 12 in

1960s F.A.I.P. Chinoiserie Table Lamp With New Shade

Located in Charleston, SC

, flowers, animals, zig-zags, waves and modern abstract sculpture typical of the period.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Chinoiserie Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Recent Sales

"Zig Zag" Sculpture by Robert Cook

Unavailable

H 20 in Dm 11.75 in

"Zig Zag" Sculpture by Robert Cook

By Robert Cook

Located in New Rochelle, NY

signed and dated "63" piece is called "Zig Zag" of a dancer in motion. I have the original receipt of

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Giselle HicksZig Zag 1, 2019

Unavailable

H 19 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in

Zig Zag 1

Located in Seattle, WA

Originally from California, Giselle Hicks received her BFA from Syracuse University and MFA from NYSCC of Ceramics at Alfred University in New York. Hicks participated in various art...

Category

2010s Contemporary Still-life Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Eric de DormaelBronze Sculpture Zig Zag One of a Kind Made in France, 2016

Unavailable

H 4.53 in W 9.65 in D 3.35 in

Bronze Sculpture Zig Zag One of a Kind Made in France

By Eric de Dormael

Located in Paris, FR

Zig Zag by Eric de Dormael, Galerie Negropontes in Paris, France. One of a kind sculpture in bronze

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Steel Zig Zag Sculpture in Steel and Mahogany

Sold

H 47.5 in W 11.25 in D 8.75 in

Steel Zig Zag Sculpture in Steel and Mahogany

Located in Long Island City, NY

Steel Zig Zag sculpture mounted on an African mahogany base by The Somerset House.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Robert Holsch Zig-Zag Sculpture

Sold

H 36 in W 17 in D 9 in

Robert Holsch Zig-Zag Sculpture

Located in Houston, TX

Stunning Wooden Sculpture by Robert Holsch carved out of wood. Texas artist 1952- 2010. His work

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Waveform Carved Zig Zag, Sculpture by Bradley Duncan Studio

Sold

H 60 in W 3 in L 60 in

Waveform Carved Zig Zag, Sculpture by Bradley Duncan Studio

By Bradley Duncan

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Carved Triangle Waveform Douglas Fir 3” X 3” X 60” 2018 8 LBS Waveform - Burnt with an icon of authenticity Produced by hand in Los Angeles, CA. from regional wood.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of Ceramic Zigzag End Tables

Sold

H 22 in Dm 21 in

Pair of Ceramic Zigzag End Tables

Located in New York, NY

Pair of large zig zag sculptured end tables. The tables have an aztec vibe to them and are

Category

Late 20th Century American End Tables

Robert KvenildZig Zag, 2024

Sold

H 32 in W 20 in D 20 in

Zig Zag

By Robert Kvenild

Located in Napa, CA

Robert Kvenild took his BA from the UC Santa Cruz and went on to SF State University for his MA. His whimsical, colorful ceramic pieces have been in many solo and group shows through...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Yaacov AgamYaacov Agam, Zig-Zag, Movable Kinetic chromed Steel sculpture, 1970

Sold

H 14.8 in W 14.8 in

Yaacov Agam, Zig-Zag, Movable Kinetic chromed Steel sculpture

By Yaacov Agam

Located in Tel Aviv, IL

Yacov agm, Zig-Zag, steel, sculpture, international artist, kinetic art, 70's, abstract sculpture

Category

Late 20th Century Kinetic Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

'Zig Zag Twenty Twenty' Cars Sculpture by Laurence Poole

Sold

H 45.67 in W 45.67 in D 3.15 in

'Zig Zag Twenty Twenty' Cars Sculpture by Laurence Poole

By Laurence Poole

Located in London, England

Unique sculpture comprising a selection of vintage toy cars in a joyous explosion of colour. In

Category

2010s English Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Metal

A Pair of Brass Curtis Jere Abstract "Zig-Zag" Wall Sculptures

Sold

H 29 in W 48 in D 4 in

A Pair of Brass Curtis Jere Abstract "Zig-Zag" Wall Sculptures

By Curtis Jeré

Located in Astoria, NY

A pair of wall mounted brass sculptures in zig-zag shapes by Curtis Jere. The pieces are signed on

Category

20th Century American Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Fantastic vintage Coastal low zig zag stools. Beautiful split reed construction

Sold

H 19.5 in W 8 in D 9.5 in

Fantastic vintage Coastal low zig zag stools. Beautiful split reed construction

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Fantastic vintage plaster sculpture of man. A handsome profile with stylish wavy hair. Rests on a

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Busts

Materials

Plaster

Pair of Intricately Carved Ivory Color Chinese Asian Chalkware Lamps

Sold

H 29 in Dm 11 in

Pair of Intricately Carved Ivory Color Chinese Asian Chalkware Lamps

Located in Chattanooga, TN

, trees, flowers, animals, zig-zags, waves and modern abstract sculpture typical of the period. Both

Category

Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Michael WisnerRed Zig Zag (handmade, red, pottery, patterned), 2019

Sold

H 7 in W 9 in D 9 in

Red Zig Zag (handmade, red, pottery, patterned)

By Michael Wisner

Located in Basalt, CO

Inspired by ancient Anasazi and Mimbres potsherds, Michael Wisner began making southwestern pottery nearly 20 years ago. He digs local clays from the ground near his studio in Woody ...

Category

2010s Sculptures

Materials

Clay

Industrial Iron Sculpture

Sold

H 79 in Dm 22 in

Industrial Iron Sculpture

Located in New York, NY

Unusual "zig-zag" iron, industrial sculpture.

Category

20th Century American Sculptures

Materials

Iron

People Also Browsed

Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum

$5,038 / item

H 56.11 in W 25.6 in D 19.1 in

Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum

By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri

Located in Meolo, Venezia

Il settimanale Arcate fa parte di una collezione esclusiva che include comodini e comò, ideata dal rinomato studio milanese Accardi Buccheri per il brand MEDULUM. La scocca, realizza...

Category

2010s Italian Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool

$1,750 / item

H 33 in W 18.5 in D 19 in

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool

By Bertu Furniture

Located in Oak Harbor, OH

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...

Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Wood, Oak

Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade

$2,500 / item

H 29 in Dm 19 in

Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade

By Isabel Moncada

Located in San Antonio, TX

PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass

"Pietra" Curved Armchair with Leather Arms Upholstered in Bouclé Fabric

$3,969 / item

H 28.35 in W 40.16 in D 34.65 in

"Pietra" Curved Armchair with Leather Arms Upholstered in Bouclé Fabric

By Studio Marta Manente

Located in Centro, RS

Pietra from Italian: Stone The designer Marta Manente is of Italian descent, her great-grandparents migrated from Italy over 100 years ago and lived in the region of Bento Gonçalves ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bouclé

White Wash Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood

$74 / item

H 23.5 in W 23.5 in D 2 in

White Wash Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood

By Peter Glassford

Located in San Antonio, TX

These WHITE WASH collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture which is meditative, sanded to a s...

Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off

H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

By Örsjö Industri AB

Located in Glendale, CA

'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

$1,250 / item

H 16 in W 11.5 in D 11.5 in

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Parchment, Brass and Glass Table Lamp by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires

$7,663 / item

H 39.38 in W 9.85 in D 31.5 in

Parchment, Brass and Glass Table Lamp by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires

By Diego Mardegan

Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF

Ventola table lamp by the artist Diego Mardegan exclusively for Glustin Luminaires. Beautiful two ways shade made of a brass structure, parchemin paper and waxed fabric hold by an...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Ondamarmo Vulcano Onyx Matte Polished Side Table

$4,007 / item

H 17.72 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in

Ondamarmo Vulcano Onyx Matte Polished Side Table

Located in AVENZA CARRARA, IT

The Ondamarmo series by Federica Elmo includes 6 objects: The extra large dining table, two smaller size tables, three shelves, and a tray designed as an evolution of the shapes of t...

Category

2010s Italian Side Tables

Materials

Onyx

Mawu Chair in Snow by Laura Gonzalez

$4,282 / item

H 35.44 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in

Mawu Chair in Snow by Laura Gonzalez

By laura gonzalez

Located in Paris, FR

Original chair in golden oak, satin finish. Flared legs, backrest and seat upholstered in a textured cream fabric by Dedar.

Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Oak, Fabric, Bouclé

Long Chandelier in Patinated Brass by Studio Glustin

$12,219 / item

H 40.95 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in

Long Chandelier in Patinated Brass by Studio Glustin

By Glustin Creation

Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR

Long chandelier in patinated brass and opaline glass. Creation by Studio Glustin.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...

Materials

Brass

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Zig Zag Sculpture", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Zig Zag Sculpture For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal piece of zig zag sculpture for your home. An item from our selection of zig zag sculpture — often made from metal, wood and fabric — can elevate any home. Find 41 options for an antique or vintage choice in our collection of zig zag sculpture now, or shop our selection of 23 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for newer or older items, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. An object in our assortment of zig zag sculpture made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with modern — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one option in this array of zig zag sculpture that is appealing in its simplicity, but BD Furniture, Cassina and Salvador Dalí produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Zig Zag Sculpture?

Prices for a piece of zig zag sculpture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $300 and can go as high as $31,552, while the average can fetch as much as $3,571.

Questions About Zig Zag Sculpture

How does the Zig Zag chair work?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Gerrit Rietveld’s iconic minimalist Zig Zag Chair, designed in the 1930s, features a legless design composed of four dovetailed, interlocking wooden panels at mathematically precise angles with very few nuts and bolts. On 1stDibs, shop a wide collection of expertly-vetted Zig Zag chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
What is the Zig Zag chair made out of?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The Zig Zag chair is made out of wood. Gerrit Rietvel created the first one out of four slabs of elm wood sometime between 1930 and 1934. Metz & Co. in Amsterdam, Netherlands, took over manufacturing and used a variety of hardwood, including pine. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Zig Zag chairs.
What is the zig-zag chair called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
The zig-zag chair is called the Zig Zag Stoel, but the most commonly used name among English speakers is the Zig-Zag chair. Introduced in 1934, the Zig-Zag chair resulted from Dutch department store Metz & Co. having enlisted Gerrit Rietveld to create a chair for mass production. “It is not a chair but a designer joke,” Rietveld famously said of the piece that would, ironically, become perhaps his most recognizable chair design. In the chair’s form, he delivered one of the earliest examples of a cantilevered seat. However, unlike cantilevered models by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, Rietveld’s didn’t rely on a metal frame. In fact, the Zig-Zag chair is constructed completely from wood, and its graphic shape is a result of exceptionally precise craftsmanship. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Gerrit Rietveld Zig-Zag chairs.