Tolix Flap Desk Indoor Painted in Graphite

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.

Sika Design has been designing and manufacturing the finest handmade furniture for more than 70 years — from its humble origins in 1942, with a first batch of lamps, tables and baskets made of rush and willow, to an internationally acclaimed company trusted by many hotels, restaurants and cruise ships all over the world. Nowadays, we’re proud to be one the oldest Scandinavian producer of rattan and wicker furniture. We take pride in guaranteeing the best levels of quality, comfort and sustainability in all of our products. Each and every one of our pieces are handled with care and passion, from the designing phase, (performed by some of the best furniture designers in the world), to the thoughtful manufacturing process taking place in our own factory in Indonesia.