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 Shelves

Lucite Display Cabinet

Zig Zag Red Lacquered Steel Wall Shelf, Contemporary Design, 24x8 CM

$1,753

H 3.15 in W 9.45 in D 9.45 in

Zig Zag Red Lacquered Steel Wall Shelf, Contemporary Design, 24x8 CM

By Max Enrich

Located in Barcelona, ES

New handcrafted red lacquered steel wall shelf Zig Zag designed by Barcelona-based designer Max Enrich. Collectible design. It is a cantilevered shelf that can be used to empty your ...

Category

2010s Spanish Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Recent Sales

Zig Zag wall shelf with Spiral Mirror by Lee Weitzman - In Stock

Unavailable

H 36 in W 60 in D 11 in

Zig Zag wall shelf with Spiral Mirror by Lee Weitzman - In Stock

By Lee Weitzman

Located in Chicago, IL

This vintage wall shelf set is made of Ebony and figured Makore Veneers with black line detailing. The Mirror has a crackle lacquered finish with a Mahogany tip detail. Inspired by t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany

’Zig Zag' Shelves by Joelle Ferlande and François Monnet for Kappa, 1970s

Sold

H 19.69 in W 19.89 in D 9.06 in

’Zig Zag' Shelves by Joelle Ferlande and François Monnet for Kappa, 1970s

By François Monnet, Joelle Ferlande, Kappa

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

’Zig Zag' shelves by Joelle Ferlande and François Monnet for Kappa, 1970s.

Category

Vintage 1970s French Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ettore Sottsass Malabar Cabinet for Memphis Milano

Sold

H 94 in W 100 in D 19.75 in

Ettore Sottsass Malabar Cabinet for Memphis Milano

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Made in 1982 for Memphis Milano in Italy. Laminated wood zig-zag shelves with enameled steel rods in varying colors.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Bookcases

Materials

Steel

French Zig Zag Shelf

Sold

H 7.5 in W 74.75 in D 8.75 in

French Zig Zag Shelf

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

French Wicker and iron zig zag wall shelf or magazine rack Great for storing books or magazines!

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wicker

A pair of S-shaped stainless steel shelves "Zig Zag" Joelle Ferlande 1970

Sold

H 19.69 in W 20.28 in D 9.06 in

A pair of S-shaped stainless steel shelves "Zig Zag" Joelle Ferlande 1970

By Kappa, Joelle Ferlande, Maria Pergay, François Monnet

Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR

Joelle Ferlande Zig-Zag A pair of S-shaped stainless steel shelves.

Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

Black Printed Plastic Zig Zag Shelf, Italy 1970s

Sold

H 8.67 in W 41.34 in D 7.88 in

Black Printed Plastic Zig Zag Shelf, Italy 1970s

Located in Naples, IT

Black-colored ABS step shelf. Italy 1970

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Plastic

A "zig zag" shelf by joelle ferlande

Sold

H 69.69 in W 65.36 in D 15.75 in

A "zig zag" shelf by joelle ferlande

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

edition KAPPA

Category

Vintage 1970s Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

Joel Ferlande Sculptural ‘Zig–Zag’ Bookshelf for Kappa, 1971

Sold

H 66.15 in W 85.04 in D 16.15 in

Joel Ferlande Sculptural ‘Zig–Zag’ Bookshelf for Kappa, 1971

By Joelle Ferlande, Kappa

Located in Rotterdam, ZH

Stunning 'Zig Zag' bookshelf designed by Joël Ferlande for Kappa, 1971. Fantastic sculptural design made from folded stainless steel. The composition can be arranged by your personal...

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Stainless Steel

François Monnet and Joelle Ferlande “Zig-Zag” Wall Unit or Shelving for Kappa

Sold

H 68 in W 65 in L 68 in

François Monnet and Joelle Ferlande “Zig-Zag” Wall Unit or Shelving for Kappa

By François Monnet, Joelle Ferlande, Kappa

Located in Miami, FL

"Zig-Zag" wall unit or shelving designed by Francois Monnet and Joelle Ferlande for Kappa.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Pairs of shelves by François Monnet and Joëlle Ferlande for Kappa.

Sold

H 51.19 in W 31.5 in D 9.85 in

Pairs of shelves by François Monnet and Joëlle Ferlande for Kappa.

By François Monnet, Kappa, Joelle Ferlande

Located in Brussels, BE

Pair of Zig-Zag aluminum wall shelves crafted by Joëlle Ferlande and François Monnet for Kappa/Uginox, originating from France in 1970.

Category

Vintage 1970s French Space Age Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Harvink Zig Zag Side Table with Black Frame and Frosted Glass Shelves

Sold

H 19.625 in W 19.75 in D 19.75 in

Harvink Zig Zag Side Table with Black Frame and Frosted Glass Shelves

By Harvink

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Harvink 1980's "Zig Zag" side table with a frosted glass top and bottom shelf, black enameled frame in the shape of a "Z". The table is in original condition with visible wear, consi...

Category

Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Metal

Zig-Zag Shelves by Joelle Ferlande & François Monnet for Kappa, 1970, Set of Two

Sold

H 32.68 in W 23.04 in D 11.82 in

Zig-Zag Shelves by Joelle Ferlande & François Monnet for Kappa, 1970, Set of Two

By Joelle Ferlande, François Monnet

Located in Catonvielle, FR

This pair of Zig-Zag shelves was designed by Joelle Ferlande & François Monnet for Kappa in France, circa 1970.

Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Vintage Lucite Magazine Rack and Display Shelf

Sold

H 62 in W 17 in D 11 in

Vintage Lucite Magazine Rack and Display Shelf

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Black acrylic base and upright supports with clear zig zag shelves. In very good vintage condition.

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Shelves

Materials

Lucite

A pair of “zig-zag” side tables, by François Monnet, 1971

Sold

H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 9.06 in

A pair of “zig-zag” side tables, by François Monnet, 1971

By François Monnet, Kappa

Located in Paris, IDF

François Monnet was a French designer who made significant contributions to the world of furniture and lighting design in the mid-20th century. The Zig-Zag exemplifies the era's fasc...

Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Pair of Palisander Art Deco Abstract Bookcases

Sold

H 51 in W 28 in D 13.5 in

Pair of Palisander Art Deco Abstract Bookcases

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of palisander Art Deco abstract bookcases, with eight staggering zig zag shelves, with a tortoise-shell veneer and a nickel accent pole, raised on a rectangular base and bracket...

Category

20th Century Hungarian Art Deco Bookcases

Materials

Ebony, Macassar

Art Deco Display Cabinet Bookcase

Sold

H 39.38 in W 36.62 in D 14.97 in

Art Deco Display Cabinet Bookcase

Located in London, GB

A very impressive Art deco cabinet, with stunning starburst design to the walnut, and beautiful cut crystal glass panels to the doors, the internal glass shelves with zig zag edges. ...

Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

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Zig Zag Shelves For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of zig zag shelves for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, wood and glass, all zig zag shelves available were constructed with great care. There are 8 antique and vintage zig zag shelves for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 5 modern editions to choose from as well. Zig zag shelves have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Art Deco, mid-century modern and modern zig zag shelves are consistently popular styles. Many zig zag shelves are appealing in their simplicity, but CPRN HOMOOD, Kappa and Felicia Ferrone produced popular zig zag shelves that are worth a look.

How Much are Zig Zag Shelves?

Prices for zig zag shelves can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, zig zag shelves begin at $595 and can go as high as $31,968, while the average can fetch as much as $11,250.

Questions About Zig Zag Shelves

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.

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