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Tolix Desks and Writing Tables

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.

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Creator: Tolix
Tolix Flap Desk Indoor Painted in White
By Sebastian Bergne, Tolix
Located in Shakopee, MN
- The flap desk, imagined by Sebastian Bergne, is the ideal size for small spaces. Store documents and pens out of sight beneath its two flaps. There is also...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Tolix Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Tolix Flap Desk Indoor Painted in Graphite
By Sebastian Bergne, Tolix
Located in Shakopee, MN
- The tolix flap desk, imagined by Sebastian Bergne, is the ideal size for small spaces. Store documents and pens out of sight beneath its two flaps. T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Tolix Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Tolix Flap Desk Indoor Painted in Black
By Tolix, Sebastian Bergne
Located in Shakopee, MN
- The flap desk, imagined by Sebastian Bergne, is the ideal size for small spaces. Store documents and pens out of sight beneath its two flaps. There is also...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Tolix Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

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Mid Century Desk by Tolix T55 c1951
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Tolix desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Tolix desks and writing tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of steel and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Tolix desks and writing tables, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by R & Y Augousti, Éric Gizard, and Aymeric Lefort. Prices for Tolix desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $950 and can go as high as $950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $950.
Questions About Tolix Desks and Writing Tables
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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