Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18

Sculptural Ladder-Back Chairs, Europe first half of the 20th century

About the Item

Over the 20th century, European designers fused traditional crafting techniques and styles with modern materials, design, and industry. The ladder-back chair was one of the most popular chairs of its time. Today, classic ladder-back chairs and their more modern reiterations are desirable, collectible pieces thanks to their distinctive look, quality, and history. Since Gio Ponti’s “Fireside” chair model, sculptural models such as this pair have once again become coveted pieces for dining and living rooms. The characteristic look of these chairs is established by the high ladder back with a “hill” shape, and the masterful pairing of materials. Ladder-back chairs, also known as a slat-back chairs, are named for the horizontal slats across the back of the chair, resembling the rungs of a ladder. The five slats on these chairs increase in size gradually and are connected to the straight back posts with a mortise and tenon joint. Individual regional makers often added characteristic details to the turned and shaped elements, which is exemplified by the “hills” decorating each slat. While the overall style is based on a traditional country design and is simple in form and traditional in structure, the upholstered seats add a touch of modernity with a deep green velour fabric. The lower part of these chairs offers plenty as well, with box stretchers on top and additional stretchers below it. This pair of chairs epitomizes the Arts and Crafts style of the early 20th century with beautiful details that showcase the best qualities of the materials and the high level craftsmanship. Ladder-back chairs still hold a place in modern interior design, as they make for gorgeous additions to modern spaces, adding a sense of history and style. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some marks and scratches on the wood. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information. Dimensions: 16.92 in W x 19.29 in D x 43.5 in H; Seat height 18.11 in 43 cm W x 49 cm D x 110.5 cm H; Seat height 46 cm
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 43.51 in (110.5 cm)Width: 16.93 in (43 cm)Depth: 19.3 in (49 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    first half of the 20th century
  • Condition:
    Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Some marks and scratches on the wood. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
  • Seller Location:
    Utrecht, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 888801481stDibs: LU2947335590472
More From This SellerView All
  • Set of Sculptural European Dining Chairs, Europe late 20th century
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    The artistic flair is apparent with this set of four dining chairs. The design uses elements of geometry to create a unique look based on the natural qualities of wood. These chairs...
    Category

    Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Wood

  • Set of 4 Sculptural Patinated Oak Spinning Chairs, Europe ca early 20th century
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    The ‘spinning chair’, this historic type of seating has had numerous modern interpretations across Europe, however, most preserved the main functional characteristics: solid wood, enduring, high quality craftsmanship, a tall, straight back for good posture and freedom of movement. The art of spinning yarn is thousands of years old, but the spinning wheel as we know it is estimated to have arrived in Europe around the middle of the 13th century and along with it came the three or four-legged spinning chair. The backs were often hand carved with various motifs or fantasy creatures making each one unique and individual. As these oak chairs show, the Modernist movement influenced the traditional design by removing most of the intricate decorative elements, and substituting them with a more streamlined structure. The carved high backs and octagonal seats...
    Category

    Early 20th Century European Modern Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Wood

  • Pair of Sculptural Patinated Oak Spinning Chairs, Europe Ca Early 20th Century
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    The ‘spinning chair’, this historic type of seating has had numerous modern interpretations across Europe, however, most preserved the main functional characteristics: solid wood, enduring, high quality craftsmanship, a tall, straight back for good posture and freedom of movement. The art of spinning yarn is thousands of years old, but the spinning wheel as we know it is estimated to have arrived in Europe around the middle of the 13th century and along with it came the three or four-legged spinning chair. The backs were often hand carved with various motifs or fantasy creatures making each one unique and individual. As these oak chairs show, the Modernist movement influenced the traditional design by removing most of the intricate decorative elements, and substituting them with a more streamlined structure. The carved high backs and octagonal seats...
    Category

    Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Oak

  • Cabinetmaker Armchairs with Wood Feet, Europe first half of the 20th century
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    This elegant pair of winged back chairs is a great representation of the quality and craftsmanship of European master cabinetmakers of the 20th century and the immediately recognizab...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

    Materials

    Wood, Fabric

  • Set of Upholstered Art Deco Armchairs, Europe First Half of 20th Century
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    Characterized by its bold geometric shapes, rich materials, and luxurious aesthetics, Art Deco transformed the way we perceive interior spaces. It was a testament to the fusion of fo...
    Category

    Early 20th Century European Art Deco Armchairs

    Materials

    Fabric, Wood

  • Eight Ladderback Dining Chairs with Rush Seats, Europe late 20th century
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    Over the 20th century, European designers fused traditional crafting techniques and styles with modern materials, design, and industry. The ladder-back chair was one of the most popu...
    Category

    20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Rush, Wood

You May Also Like
  • 4 Thonet Chairs, Model Prague No. 811, First Half of the 20th Century
    By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
    Located in Herentals, BE
    The chairs were designed by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet around 1920 and executed by FMG - Fabryka Mebli Gietych - in Poland in the first half of the 20th century. They have been reupho...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Polish Art Deco Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Fabric, Bentwood

  • Set of Four Rustic Style Oak Ladder Back Chairs, Early 20th Century
    Located in Southampton, NY
    Set of four Rustic style oak ladder back side chairs, early 20th century An unusual set of chairs with the zig zag backs, turned legs and beauti...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Unknown Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Fabric, Wood, Oak

  • Set Of Four Danish Rosewood Ladder Back Dining Chairs, Mid 20th Century
    Located in Bristol, GB
    A set of four Danish ladder back dining chairs with elegant rosewood frames. The seats have been newly upholstered in a beautiful chevron wool by Bute Fabrics. The ladder backrests a...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Wool, Rosewood

  • Armchair, Northern Europe, first half of the 20th century.
    Located in Chorzów, PL
    An armchair from the 1930s. Armchair in very good condition after professional renovation. The furniture has been covered with a new fabric. Dimensions: height 78 cm / seat height ...
    Category

    Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

    Materials

    Walnut

  • Mid 20th Century Maple Farmhouse Ladder Back Dining Side Chairs - Pair B
    Located in Charlotte, NC
    A pair of Cottage / Farmhouse style dining side chairs, unbranded, similar in quality to Ethan Allen. Maple with carved arched ladder back design, rush seats, turned front legs & fro...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century American Rustic Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Rush, Maple

  • Mid 20th Century Maple Farmhouse Ladder Back Dining Side Chairs - Pair
    Located in Charlotte, NC
    A pair of Cottage / Farmhouse style dining side chairs, unbranded, similar in quality to Ethan Allen. Maple with carved arched ladder back design, rush seats, turned front legs & fro...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century American Rustic Dining Room Chairs

    Materials

    Rush, Maple

Recently Viewed

View All