Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Rare 'Karate' Swiveling Fiberglass Shell Chair by Michel Cadestin

$7,000per set
£5,295.98per set
€6,112.38per set
CA$9,777.05per set
A$10,870.21per set
CHF 5,689.90per set
MX$133,319.58per set
NOK 72,446.84per set
SEK 68,398.40per set
DKK 45,612.60per set
Quantity
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Rare 'Karate' swiveling fiberglass shell chair by Michel Cadestin. This iconic chair was designed circa 1970 by Michel Cadestin for French furniture manufacturer Airborne. Referred to as the "Karate" chair, it is made of a molded white fiberglass shell fitted with deep-buttoned vinyl upholstery over a weighted swiveling base. Note: this is for 1 chair, not a pair.
  • Creator:
    Airborne International (Manufacturer),Airborne (Manufacturer),Michel Cadestin (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 35 in (88.9 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)Depth: 38 in (96.52 cm)Seat Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1970
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. All original.
  • Seller Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU818425819462

More From This Seller

View All
Vintage Spun Fiberglass Chair with Alpaca Seat Cover
By Russell Woodard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage spun fiberglass chair with Alpaca seat cover. Great for indoor or outdoor use. Lightweight but robust, sturdy design.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Alpaca, Fiberglass

Vintage Spun Fiberglass Chair with Alpaca Seat Cover
By Russell Woodard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage spun fiberglass chair with Alpaca seat cover. Great for indoor or outdoor use. Lightweight but robust, sturdy design.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Alpaca, Fiberglass

Original CM197 Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Thonet, France
By Pierre Paulin, Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original CM197 armchair by Pierre Paulin. Designed for Thonet, France in 1958. Green vinyl upholstery in excellent original condition. Can be reupholstered easi...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Original CM197 Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Thonet France
By Pierre Paulin, Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original CM197 armchair by Pierre Paulin. Designed for Thonet, France in 1958. Green vinyl upholstery in excellent original condition. Can be reupholstered easi...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Modern Armchairs

Vintage Spun Fiberglass Chair with Alpaca Seat Cover
By Russell Woodard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage spun fiberglass chair with Alpaca seat cover. Great for indoor or outdoor use. Lightweight but robust, sturdy design.
Category

Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Armchairs

Materials

Alpaca, Fiberglass

Exceptional Aged Leather French Art Deco Adjustable Club Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional aged leather French Art Deco adjustable club chair. Standard 18" seat height. Adjustable back angle. This chair is in its original...
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Club Chairs

Materials

Leather

You May Also Like

Michel Cadestin “Karate” leather armchair, 1970s
By Michel Cadestin
Located in PARIS, FR
"Karate" model armchair in beige leather by designer Michel Cadestin (9128-2017) for Airborne, dating from the 1970s. The armchair consists of a cream fiberglass shell mounted on a t...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Michel Cadestin “Karate” leather armchair, 1970s
By Michel Cadestin
Located in PARIS, FR
"Karate" armchair in beige leather by designer Michel Cadestin (9128-2017) for Airborne, dating from the 1970s. The armchair consists of a cream fiberglass shell mounted on a tubular...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather

1 Fauteuil "Yoga" de Michel Cadestin Pour Airborn, 1968
By Michel Cadestin
Located in SAINT-SEVER, FR
Fauteuil pivotant "Yoga", création 1968 de Michel CADESTIN (Né en 1942) & AIRBORNE (Éditeur), Fauteuil pivotant sur un disque en fonte d'acier. L'assise est une structure en coque d...
Category

Vintage 1960s French Space Age Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Original Michel Cadestin Karate Lounge Sessel Airbone Glasfaser
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen und sehr seltenen Karate Lounge Drehsessel von Michel Cadestin für Airbone zum Verkauf an. Die Polster des Sessels wurden mit einem hochwertigen, moder...
Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Fiberglass

French Modern Karate Chair By Michel Cadestin
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Houston, TX
French Modern Karate Chairs By Michel Cadestin Stunning French Modern Michel Cadestin for Airborne Karate lounge chair. This shapely and extremely comfortable iconic Italian lounge ...
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass, Velvet

“Orchidée” Lounge Chair by Michel Cadestin for Airborne, France, 1968
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Utrecht, NL
This large fiberglass lounge chair, the “Orchidée” was one of the Cadestin models that were ordered by the Centre Pompidou Museum. The design dates to 1968 and was manufactured by Airborne International. This chair stands out both in terms of size, as well as its design. While the fiberglass base provides a modern look, the upholstered seat, back and armrests give the chair a cosy feel. With the folding top of the seat and armrests, the chair resembles the shape of an orchid flower, which is where the model’s name derives from. The chair has been reupholstered in a cognac colored full aniline leather, which gives a nice contrast to the white fiberglass base. Thanks to its impressive size and soft fabric, this chair is perfect for lounging while also adding an eye-catching visual element to any space. Among the models Cadestin designed for the Center Georges Pompidou, the Orchid is one of the most outstanding pieces. Condition: In good vintage condition. Some minor scratches on the fiberglass base. Recently reupholstered in premium aniline leather. Dimensions: 35.43 in W x 40.94 in D x 37.79 in H, seat height 15.15 in 90 cm W x 104 cm D x 96 cm H, seat height 38.5 cm About the designer: Michel Cadestin was born in France in 1942. He is an interior designer and architect and through his work, he wishes to offer a functional and fun design accessible to the majority. A prolific designer, he has experienced with diverse forms and materials during his career. His creations are varied as evidenced by the furniture intended for the Center Georges Pompidou, such as the Karate armchair...
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass