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.
Set of Four Vintage Tolix Café Chairs by Xavier Pauchard
By Tolix, Xavier Pauchard
Located in Stockton, NJ
A set of four original Tolix bistro café chairs designed by Xavier Pauchard. Wonderful patina and red paint to each.
Metal
Set of 4 Vintage green Model A Chairs from Tolix, France, 1950s
By Tolix, Xavier Pauchard
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1950 / set of 4 chairs / Tolix / model A / metal / industrial / mid-century / vintage Set of 4 vintage Tolix chairs with original green lacquer, made in France around 195...
Metal
$4,361 / set
H 30.32 in W 17.72 in D 20.48 in
Set of Four Kangaroo Chairs Designed by Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1968
By Ernst Moeckl
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
This set is called Z-chair. Designed in 1968 in the GDR by Ernst Moeckl and Siegfried Mehl, German Version of the Panton chair. Also called kangoroo chair or variopur chair. Produced...
Fiberglass
$3,672Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Set of Four Red Cado Chairs, Steen Østergaard, 1974
By Ostergaard Steen
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Polish production chairs from Plastics Factory 'Krywald' in Knurow have embossed signatures. They come from the 1970s. The author of this project is the Danish architect Steen Østerg...
Plastic
$358 / set
H 25.5 in W 17.38 in D 17.38 in
Tolix Original French Counter Stools Blood Orange Set (2) Other Colors Available
By Xavier Pauchard, Tolix
Located in Highwood, IL
Tolix Original French Counter Stools Blood Orange Set (2) Other Colors Available in Counter Height, Bar Height and Dining Table Height Stools, plu...
Metal, Steel
$1,014 / set
H 33.5 in W 17.5 in D 19 in
Tolix Genuine Made in France Set of (6) Classic Glossy Grey Powder-Coated Chairs
By Tolix, Xavier Pauchard
Located in Highwood, IL
Tolix Genuine Made in France Set of 6 in their Classic Glossy Grey Powder-Coated finish. Our authentic French Tolix inventory consists of a mixture of Tolix dining chairs, counter h...
Metal, Steel
$981Sale Price / set|28% Off
H 30.71 in W 17.72 in D 16.54 in
Set of Four Vintage Chromed Dining Chairs, Faux Leather, Italy, 1970
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Set of Four Vintage Chromed Dining Chairs, Faux Leather, Italy, 1970 Four vintage dining chairs with a refined industrial touch manufactured in Italy in the 1970s. Minimilast yet r...
Chrome
$537 / set
H 29.5 in W 17 in D 17 in
Tolix Set of (3) Glossy Dark Grey Bar Stools Hand-Made in France More Available
By Tolix, Xavier Pauchard
Located in Highwood, IL
Authentic French Hand-Made Tolix Bar Height Stools in a set of 3-Stools and yes, there are more available while supply lasts. Please note that these are Bar height Stools and Bars ar...
Steel
Set of Four Yellow "Shell" Chairs, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Four beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of Furniture Industry in the 1960s. They are after full renovation upholstery and carpentry...
Velvet, Beech
Set of 6 French 1950s Beech Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of 6 midcentury compass style beech chairs.
Beech, Faux Leather
Set of 4 French Oak Alpine Tripod Chairs, 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of 4 French Oak Alpine Tripod Chairs, 1950s This charming set of four oak tripod chairs comes from France and dates to the 1950s, representing the timeless appeal of traditional...
Oak
Set of Four Yellow Chairs, by Zielinski, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of four beech chairs designed by M. Zielinski, type 200 / 100B. Manufactured by the Opole Furniture Industry Center at the end of the 1960s in Poland. The chairs have undergone a...
Velvet, Beech
$358
H 29.5 in W 17 in D 17 in
Tolix Set of (2) Glossy Dark Grey Bar Stools Hand-Made in France More Available
By Xavier Pauchard, Tolix
Located in Highwood, IL
Tolix Bar Height Steel Stools in a charcoal grey Powder-Coated finish. These are Genuine Hand-Made in France Tolix Bar Height Stools and we currently have about 700-pieces of Authent...
Steel
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s Beech Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French mid-century beech dining chairs.
Beech
Sold
H 18 in W 15.25 in D 15.25 in
Genuine French Tolix Cyan Blue Stacking Dining Table Height Stools Set of (4)
By Tolix, Xavier Pauchard
Located in Highwood, IL
Original French Hand-Made Tolix Cyan Blue Dining Table Height Stools Set of 4. This particular set of 4 cyan blue table height stools happen to be near flawless, with no visible flaw...
Steel
Ensemble de 6 chaises Tolix modèle T3 par Xavier Pauchard 1950's
By Tolix, Xavier Pauchard
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Ensemble de 6 chaises Tolix modèle T3 par Xavier Pauchard 1950's
Steel
Sold
H 33.08 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Paire de chaises Tolix par Xavier Pauchard première édition fin 1920's
By Tolix, Xavier Pauchard
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Paire de chaises Tolix par Xavier Pauchard première édition fin 1920's La chaise Tolix A, créée en 1925 par l’industriel bourguignon Xavier Pauchard, pionnier de la galvanisation en...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 15.75 in D 17.33 in
1960's Original Red French Tolix T2 Metal Outdoor Dining Chairs - Various Qty
By Tolix
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1960’s Original Red French Tolix T2 Metal Outdoor Dining Chairs – Various Quantities Available 1960’s Original Red French Tolix T2 Metal Outdoor Dining Chairs – Various Quantities Av...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 15.75 in D 17.33 in
1960's Original Red French Tolix T2 Metal Outdoor Dining Chairs - Set Of Six
By Tolix
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1960’s Original Red French Tolix T2 Metal Outdoor Dining Chairs – Set Of Six 1960’s Original Red French Tolix T2 Metal Outdoor Dining Chairs – Set Of Six. Tolix is one of our all tim...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 15.75 in D 17.33 in
1960's Original Red French Tolix T2 Metal Outdoor Dining Chairs - Set Of Four
By Tolix
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1960’s Original Red French Tolix T2 Metal Outdoor Dining Chairs – Set Of Four 1960’s Original Red French Tolix T2 Metal Outdoor Dining Chairs – Set Of Four. Tolix is one of our all t...
Metal
Tolix Orange Stacking Cafe Chairs
By Tolix, Xavier Pauchard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of 8 Tolix chairs designed by Xavier Pauchard. Solid Comfortable Chairs! These were always used in a dining room so chairs present like new! Great bright color ready to go! Stack...
Metal
1950's Toledo French Outdoor Table and Four Chair Set, '1629.5'
By Tolix
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Toledo French outdoor table and four chair set (1629.5) 1950’s Toledo French outdoor table and four chair set. Reminiscent of Tolix but n...
Metal
1950's, Toledo French Outdoor Table and Four Chair Set '1629.4'
By Tolix
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Toledo French outdoor table and four chair set (1629.4) 1950’s Toledo French outdoor table and four chair set. Reminiscent of Tolix but n...
Metal
1950's Toledo French Outdoor Table and Four Chair Set, '1629.3'
By Tolix
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Toledo French outdoor table and four chair set (1629.3) 1950’s Toledo French outdoor table and four chair set. Reminiscent of Tolix but n...
Metal
1950's, Toledo French Outdoor Table and Four Chair Set '1629.2'
By Tolix
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Toledo French outdoor table and four chair set (1629.2). 1950’s Toledo French outdoor table and four chair set. Reminiscent of Tolix but ...
Metal
1950's Toledo French Outdoor Table and Four Chair Set '1629.1'
By Tolix
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Toledo French outdoor table and four chair set (1629.1) 1950’s Toledo French outdoor table and four chair set. Reminiscent of Tolix but n...
Metal