Contemporary Klismos Chair in Stainless Steel and Fine Leather Seat Mesh

View Similar Items

Contemporary Iron Klismos Chair

Outdoor Armchair in Black Stainless Steel with Leather Seat

Modern Stainless Steel and Brown Leather Chair

Stainless Steel and Leather Contemporary Adult Swing Chair by Egg Designs

Klismos Walnut Wood Leather Seats Saber Legs Dining Chairs, Customizable

Lucite Klismos Chair in Malachite Print Fabric

Black Woven Leather Seat Walnut Saber Legs Klismos Chairs Customizable

Alias 715 Tagliatelle Outdoor Chair in White Belt Seat and Stainless Steel Frame

Minimalist Modern Lounge Chair in Brown Leather and Brushed Stainless Steel

Minimalist Modern Lounge Chair in Natural Leather and Polished Stainless Steel

Minimalist Modern Lounge Chair in Natural Leather and Brushed Stainless Steel

Minimalist Modern Lounge Chair in Black Leather and Polished Stainless Steel

About the Item

We know about klismos chairs thanks to ancient Greek art, but how did this forgotten furniture item actually work its way back into our homes? That story begins in 1748 CE. Surveyors in southern Italy accidentally unearthed parts of an ancient Roman city, buried in layers of volcanic ash. The discovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum sparked a cultural obsession with all things Greek and Roman. In art, neoclassical sculpture flourished. In architecture, Greek and Roman Revival styles spread through major cities. After 1776, even the brand new United States jumped eagerly on the neoclassical bandwagon, seeing this as a way to create an ideological parallel between Roman and American republics. So, what exactly defines the klismos chair? This form is identifiable by three main features. First, the legs are curved and splayed, flaring outwards. In almost all versions of the klismos chair, this applies to all four legs (although occasionally you'll see one with only two splayed legs). Secondly, the klismos chair has a curved back, generally composed of two parallel, curving rails. Finally, look for a narrow, horizontal, and concave backrest. The curves are meant to contour to the human form and also give the chair a fluid and graceful appearance. This timeless design was first introduced into Western society way back in the 5th century BCE. That's around the same time that Pericles brought Athens into its Golden Age, and Socrates was wandering about debating the meaning of life. Yes, this chair design is about as old as the origins of Western philosophy. The design was popularized further in the 4th century CE, but it disappeared with Greek civilization. In fact, it was completely lost to time and not a single piece has survived. So, how do we know about it? Luckily for us, the Greeks depicted klismos chairs in their pottery and sculptures. There are also some Roman depictions of klismos chairs, all of which are found in Roman copies of Greek artwork. The most famous example of the ancient klimos chair may be the Stele of Hegeso. This tombstone was made in Athens around 400 BCE, and shows a woman named Hegeso seated in a curved, graceful klismos chair. This is just one many examples of the klismos chair in ancient art, but it's one of the best representations we've found.

Dimensions:
Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
Style:
Classical Greek (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Leather,Stainless Steel,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
2000-2009
Date of Manufacture:
2008
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. There are some minor scratches in the polished steel, and there is some pitting under the leather seat ties, both can be polished out.
Seller Location:
San Francisco, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU989927974972

More From This Seller

View All

Michael Taylor Teak Klismos Chair

By Michael Taylor

Located in San Francisco, CA

Michael Taylor was a iconic interior designer, and also designed a number of pieces of furniture. The Klismos design dates back to Ancient Egyptian chairs as well as Ancient Greek. ...

Category

Early 2000s American American Classical Side Chairs

Materials

Teak

Michael Taylor Teak Klismos Chair

$1,000

Regency Chinoiserie Decorated Side Chairs, a Pair, in the Sancsoucie manner

Located in San Francisco, CA

This pair of chairs is exquisitely styled, the chinoisery is fine and European in style. The chairs are raised on "ballet style feet" and seem to want to dance...

Category

Antique 1820s English Regency Side Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood

Regency Chinoiserie Decorated Side Chairs, a Pair, in the Sancsoucie manner

$4,800 Sale Price / set

78% Off

Art of the Chair in Eighteenth Century France, Bill G.B. Pallot, 1989

Located in San Francisco, CA

The eighteenth century French chair ranks among the most elegant of furniture forms, admired both for its beauty and for the essential role...

Category

Vintage 1980s French Louis XV Books

Materials

Paper

Art of the Chair in Eighteenth Century France, Bill G.B. Pallot, 1989

$550 Sale Price

42% Off

Modern Sabre Leg Chairs in Engl. Neoclassic style, after a Model by Thomas Hope

Located in San Francisco, CA

These chairs are after a model and drawings by Thomas Hope, the famous neoclassic designer of the late 18th and early 19th century England. One of his chairs you can find at the V&A ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Revival Side Chairs

Materials

Gesso, Giltwood

Modern Sabre Leg Chairs in Engl. Neoclassic style, after a Model by Thomas Hope

$1,650 / item

Fine pair of monumental mirror black baluster vases, mounted as Lamps

Located in San Francisco, CA

This very fine pair of Mirror Black baluster vases, with exquisite gilt painting, is one of the finest pairs I have ever seen. Shades in photo, not included. Lamp shade fittings adj...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Other Table Lamps

Materials

Porcelain

Fine pair of monumental mirror black baluster vases, mounted as Lamps

$7,500 / set

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Yoke Back Chairs

Located in San Francisco, CA

Pair of Chinese yoke back or scholar chairs made in Chinese elmwood.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Yoke Back Chairs

$1,950 Sale Price / set

35% Off

21st Century and Contemporary American Classical Greek Chairs

Materials

Iron

Contemporary Iron Klismos Chair

$4,920 / item

Outdoor Armchair in Black Stainless Steel with Leather Seat

By Myface

Located in Santo Tirso, PT

Nero, outdoor dining chair The Nero dining armchair embodies modern elegance, with its clean lines and sculpted form. Thoughtfully designed with refined lines and premium materials,...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Outdoor Armchair in Black Stainless Steel with Leather Seat

$2,317 / item

Modern Stainless Steel and Brown Leather Chair

Located in Westwood, NJ

Modern stainless steel and leather chair, warm luxurious brown leather with a brushed stainless steel frame and a clean and contemporary design. Crafted of pure aniline top-grade...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Modern Stainless Steel and Brown Leather Chair

$3,510 / item

Stainless Steel and Leather Contemporary Adult Swing Chair by Egg Designs

By Egg Designs

Located in Bothas Hill, KZN

This contemporary adult swing is a specialty chair by Egg Designs, it has a stainless steel frame and yolk with leather upholstery. The swing chair can be ...

Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel and Leather Contemporary Adult Swing Chair by Egg Designs

$6,600 / item

Lucite Klismos Chair in Malachite Print Fabric

By Charles Hollis Jones

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Lucite Klismos chair upholstered in malachite print fabric in the style of Charles Hollis Jones. It is made in 1990’s by Los Angeles based company Shahrooz. Total three chairs availa...

Category

Vintage 1930s American Classical Greek Chairs

Materials

Lucite

Lucite Klismos Chair in Malachite Print Fabric

$1,950 / item

Klismos Walnut Wood Leather Seats Saber Legs Dining Chairs, Customizable

By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings

Located in IT

Klismos customizable chairs with saber legs, natural wood shiny finishing and leather seats with buttons. Available in other colors and upholstery. Walnut wood chairs with deep an...

Category

2010s Italian Greek Revival Chairs

Materials

Leather, Cotton, Nutwood, Walnut

Klismos Walnut Wood Leather Seats Saber Legs Dining Chairs, Customizable

$2,445 / item