Tolix Seating

French

The sturdy and sleek furniture designed by Tolix has become a standard of trendy cafés and retro diners. For nearly a century, the French company has become synonymous with café culture in France and beyond.

In 1908, Xavier Pauchard, nicknamed Mr. X, founded Tolix in Burgundy, France. A zinc roofer by trade, Pauchard focused on making household items from sheet metal and using zinc to galvanize his products. Clean-lined and practical, Tolix’s metal furniture marked an early expression of mid-century modern style.

Pauchard designed Tolix’s flagship industrial-style chair, the Chaise A, in the mid-1920s. Also known as the Model A chair, it was designed with small holes in the seat to allow rainwater to drain without sacrificing comfort or durability. In 1934, Pauchard improved the Chaise A with the slimmer, more lightweight Marais A chair. Stackable up to 25 chairs high, it quickly became a favorite among hospitals, schools and factories.

There is debate about whether Joseph Mathieu’s designs influenced Pauchard’s creation of the Multipl, another stacking metal chair from the mid-20th century.

Major museums have exhibited Tolix’s designs, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Vitra Design Museum in Rhein, Germany. In 2006, the brand received the label of Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, a formal acknowledgment from the French Ministry of Economics and Finance of its industrial excellence and mastery.

Due to a shift in design trends, Tolix fell out of favor near the end of the 20th century and filed for bankruptcy. The company rebounded in 2004 under the ownership of its chief financial officer, Chantal Andriot. Strengthened by a high demand for industrial furniture, Tolix is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity, especially in cafés, breweries and restaurants.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Tolix dining chairs, tables, stools and more.

Tolix seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Tolix seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Tolix seating, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 18 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 56 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating by Tolix were created in the mid-century modern style in france during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Xavier Pauchard, Kifu Augousti, and Design Frères. Prices for Tolix seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $185 and can go as high as $4,760, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $304.

Questions About Tolix Seating

What is Tolix?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Tolix is a French maker of steel furniture. The iconic Tolix chair was first designed in the 1930s, and reached its final design by the 1950s. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of vintage and contemporary Tolix furniture from some of the world’s top sellers.
Can I stack Tolix chairs?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, you can indeed stack Tolix chairs. The sleek design makes this chair an easy fit for your interior or exterior needs, and when you're done, you can easily stack and stow them away. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Tolix chairs from some of the top sellers around the world.
How can I spot a fake tolix chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To check if your Tolix chair is real, first check for the embossed Tolix logo which should be crisp and easy to read. The chair will also have ‘Made in France’ marked on it. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted Tolix chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.