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 Sofa

Blue Velvet Couch

Bird Tile

Flame Stitch Upholstery

Fendi Casa Sofa

Adrian Pearsall Sofa With End Tables

Scatter Cushions

Birds Eye Maple Wood

Chaise Couch

Modernist Zig-Zag Oak Console Sofa Table by Lane

$3,040Sale Price|20% Off

Modernist Zig-Zag Oak Console Sofa Table by Lane

By Gerrit Rietveld

Located in Las Vegas, NV

This is a rare & seldom ever seen zig zag sofa table in an amazing two tone tiger grain oak.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Oak

Recent Sales

Italian Zig Zag Sofa

Sold

H 30.5 in W 57 in D 27 in

Italian Zig Zag Sofa

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

Stunning Italian Mid Century Petite Sofa with Amazing Vintage Flame Stitch Upholstery

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Original Florence Knoll Loveseat 3-Seat Sofa Chenille

Sold

H 28 in W 84 in D 32 in

Mid-Century Modern Original Florence Knoll Loveseat 3-Seat Sofa Chenille

By Knoll, Florence Knoll

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Mid-Century Modern original early 1960s Florence Knoll 3 seat White woven chenille fabric zig zag sofa. Good vintage condition foam and upholstery is in vintage condition.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel

Fendi Casa 4-Seat Chaise-End Sofa - In Navy Blue Zig-Zag Velvet

Sold

H 39.38 in W 110.24 in D 55.12 in

Fendi Casa 4-Seat Chaise-End Sofa - In Navy Blue Zig-Zag Velvet

Located in Barrowford, GB

Dressed in the most stunning, luxurious and tactile modern Zig-Zag-pattern Italian-velvet fabric option in elegant, demure, neutral, flexible Navy-Blue colour, and with polished chro...

Category

2010s Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Postmodern Memphis Era Hand-Painted Zig-Zag Entry Table

Sold

H 32 in W 46 in D 17.5 in

Postmodern Memphis Era Hand-Painted Zig-Zag Entry Table

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in San Diego, CA

Unique entry hall tall table, hand-painted wood tiles on bird's-eye maple wood frame, well made table, circa 1980s unsigned great accent piece.

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Rare Four-Strand "Zig-Zag" Square Pretzel Four-Seat Sectional Sofa

Sold

H 28 in W 102 in D 35 in

Rare Four-Strand "Zig-Zag" Square Pretzel Four-Seat Sectional Sofa

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Art Deco era four-strand square pretzel style, Four-seat sectional sofa. This sofa features the famous square pretzel side arms with a unique Zig-Zag pattern in the arm and stacked r...

Category

Vintage 1930s Living Room Sets

Materials

Rattan

Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Walnut Zig Zag Sofa

Sold

H 24 in W 125 in D 32 in

Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Walnut Zig Zag Sofa

By Adrian Pearsall

Located in Hanover, MA

Rarely seen sofa model designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates with a pair of floating end tables and sculptural walnut zigzag molding. One owner who purchased it in Bosto...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Brass Zig Zag Console or Sofa Table

Sold

H 27.38 in W 48 in D 16 in

Mid-Century Brass Zig Zag Console or Sofa Table

By Design Institute America, Milo Baughman

Located in Peabody, MA

Console or sofa table with "zig zag" base, glass top with beveled edge and rounded corners.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Kurt Østervig Style Oak Coffee Table, Square Frame Base

$1,195

H 20.5 in W 59 in D 23.5 in

Mid-Century Kurt Østervig Style Oak Coffee Table, Square Frame Base

By Kurt Østervig

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Coffee table in the style of Danish designer Kurt Østervig showcases minimalist Scandinavian design principles. Constructed from solid oak with a rectangular top and distinctive squa...

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Rare Paul Frankl Cork Top Console Table model # 5008 for Johnson Bros.

$3,100

H 29.25 in W 40 in D 20 in

Rare Paul Frankl Cork Top Console Table model # 5008 for Johnson Bros.

By Paul Frankl

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A smaller scale console entrance way table with cork top and dark mahogany toned winged V oak base. A rare form designed by Paul Frankl whose iconic skyscraper book shelve units are ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Oak, Cork

Paul Frankl, Console Table, Wood, USA, 1950s

$8,800

H 29.375 in W 42 in D 17.875 in

Paul Frankl, Console Table, Wood, USA, 1950s

By Paul Frankl

Located in High Point, NC

A wood console table produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s. Designed attributed to Paul Frankl, Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.375"H x 42.0"W x 17.875"D All items ship from High ...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Geometric Matched Minimal Console Oak Table

$5,200 / item

H 31 in W 72 in D 24 in

Geometric Matched Minimal Console Oak Table

By Figure Ground

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The artifact console table welcomes you home and defines your itinerary when leaving. It holds that beautiful scarf next to the rare book that guests flip through when they visit. Ha...

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Ash, Oak, Walnut

Spectacular Mid-Century Modern Zig-Zag Coffee Table

$1,890Sale Price|30% Off

H 15.75 in W 54 in D 24 in

Spectacular Mid-Century Modern Zig-Zag Coffee Table

By Gerrit Rietveld

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Fabulous zig-zag shaped coffee table by the Lane Furniture CO. USA, circa 1970's. Spectacular tiger grained oak veneer in a two-tone color/grain inlay. Solid and heavy table.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

Classic Mid-Century Modern Dovetail Lane Acclaim Boomerang Coffee Table

$3,230

H 14.75 in W 64 in D 48 in

Classic Mid-Century Modern Dovetail Lane Acclaim Boomerang Coffee Table

By Lane Acclaim, Andre Bus

Located in Buffalo, NY

This boomerang coffee table is one of the more illusive and sought after models from the ubiquitous Acclaim line by Lane. The Lane Acclaim collection has become an American Mid-Cent...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Beech, Walnut

Les Arcs Style Solid Pine Console Table Inspired by Charlotte Perriand, 1970s

$2,336

H 35.83 in W 50.4 in D 13 in

Les Arcs Style Solid Pine Console Table Inspired by Charlotte Perriand, 1970s

By Charlotte Perriand

Located in amstelveen, NL

Rustic solid pine console table inspired by the iconic furniture created for the Les Arcs ski resort by Charlotte Perriand. Crafted from thick reclaimed pine with a rich honey-toned ...

Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Pine

French Oak Console Table Charlotte Perriand Style Mid Century Modern Desk Bar

$2,550

H 28 in W 34 in D 19.25 in

French Oak Console Table Charlotte Perriand Style Mid Century Modern Desk Bar

By Charlotte Perriand

Located in Atlanta, GA

Clean Lined French Oak Desk, in the style of Charlotte Perriand, France, circa 1950s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a console table, desk, vanity, or bar. Retains warm or...

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Oak, Wood

Vintage Enrique Garcel Tessellated Bone Console Table, 60″ Long

$956Sale Price|20% Off

H 30 in W 60 in D 18 in

Vintage Enrique Garcel Tessellated Bone Console Table, 60″ Long

Located in Oakwood, GA

Vintage Enrique Garcel Tessellated Bone Console Table, 60"Long Circa 1980's From Enrique Garcel of Jimeco LTDA Made in Columbia Covered in tessellated bone Curved on each end 2 Easy ...

Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Bone, Wood

Impressive Two Tier Triangular Wedge Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$4,800

H 31 in W 60 in D 30 in

Impressive Two Tier Triangular Wedge Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A geometrically pure and finely detailed two-tiered table in bleached walnut of triangular form with distinctive beveled edging at a 45 degree angle.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Walnut

Library / Console Table in Acid-Stained Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1932

$120,272

H 29.14 in W 66.93 in D 21.66 in

Library / Console Table in Acid-Stained Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1932

By Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Library / Console Table in Acid-Stained Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1932 Additional Information: Material: Acid-stained pine Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Very rare library / cons...

Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Console Tables

Materials

Pine

Side Table Made In Oak By Aksel Kjersgaard For Odder Furniture From 1960s

$1,139

H 15.36 in W 46.86 in D 13.39 in

Side Table Made In Oak By Aksel Kjersgaard For Odder Furniture From 1960s

By Odder Furniture, Aksel Kjersgaard

Located in Lejre, DK

Side table made of oak, by Aksel Kjersgaard for Odder in the 1960s. The table is made of solid oak with a simple and functional design, which is characteristic of Danish furniture de...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Oak

Modernist Ash Two Tier Sofa Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$3,880Sale Price|20% Off

H 24 in W 53 in D 23 in

Modernist Ash Two Tier Sofa Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Montreal, QC

Modernist Ash two tier sofa table model no 5403 inset with black formica by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Signed Etched on Plaque: Dunbar Berne Indiana.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofa Tables

Materials

Ash

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Modular Console Table Circa 1950s

$5,200

H 15 in W 86 in D 15.5 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Modular Console Table Circa 1950s

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Delray Beach, FL

Beautiful set of tables designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Architectural and Mid Century Modern in design. Tables have a simple elegant design. Both tables are marked. One long s...

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Formica, Ash

Danish Mid-Century Drop Leaf Console Table by Peter Hvidt, 1950s

$9,800

H 28.5 in W 64 in D 18 in

Danish Mid-Century Drop Leaf Console Table by Peter Hvidt, 1950s

By Peter Hvidt

Located in Queens, NY

Danish Mid-Century wooden console / dining table with a rectangular console profile when closed, with two demilune drop leaves supported by four gate legs to create a circular dining...

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Wood

Fine 1970s Geometric Pattern Console Table, France, 1975

$2,016Sale Price|20% Off

H 28.75 in W 59.06 in D 19.69 in

Fine 1970s Geometric Pattern Console Table, France, 1975

By Serge Manzon

Located in Brussels, BE

Several assembled materials forming a geometric composition. In the style of Serge Manzon, circa 1975.

Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Metal

Get Updated with New Arrivals

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

Zig Zag Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the zig zag sofa you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each zig zag sofa for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using fabric, metal and steel. There are 23 variations of the antique or vintage zig zag sofa you’re looking for, while we also have 25 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect zig zag sofa — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right zig zag sofa, those designed in modern, mid-century modern and Scandinavian Modern styles are of considerable interest. A well-made zig zag sofa has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Jo Wilton and Mirka Grohn, Paulo Kobylka and Cassina are consistently popular.

How Much is a Zig Zag Sofa?

Prices for a zig zag sofa start at $56 and top out at $36,000 with the average selling for $3,841.

Questions About Zig Zag Sofa

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.