Tolix Chairs
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.
1960s French Vintage Tolix Chairs
Metal
1960s French Vintage Tolix Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Post-Modern Tolix Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century American Organic Modern Tolix Chairs
Leather, Naugahyde, Bamboo, Rattan
1990s Chinese Tolix Chairs
Elm, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Industrial Tolix Chairs
Metal
1960s French French Provincial Vintage Tolix Chairs
Rush, Olive
Mid-20th Century French Tolix Chairs
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tolix Chairs
Upholstery, Teak
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Tolix Chairs
Lacquer, Mahogany, Wood, Foam, Upholstery
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tolix Chairs
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Industrial Tolix Chairs
Metal
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tolix Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Tolix Chairs
Bouclé, Wood, Beech
Tolix chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Tolix
- What is Tolix?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Tolix 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 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To 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.