Asian Shell Chairs
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Chairs
Shell, Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Syrian Moorish Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century Syrian Islamic Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Syrian Moorish Chairs
Bone, Shell, Walnut
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Side Chairs
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Abalone, Shell
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Antique 1860s Chinese Chairs
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
Early 20th Century Chinese Armchairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
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Wood
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Hardwood
2010s English Chippendale Pier Mirrors and Console Mirrors
Wood, Gesso
Antique Late 19th Century Lebanese Moorish Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace ...
Walnut, Shell, Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl
2010s Italian Other Chandeliers and Pendants
Blown Glass
Antique Late 19th Century Syrian Islamic Side Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Early 20th Century Syrian Islamic Vases
Silver, Copper, Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Cedar, Pine
20th Century Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique 16th Century Indian Jewelry Boxes
Silver
Antique 1850s English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
2010s English Chippendale Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors
Gold Leaf
Antique Early 1900s Italian Moorish Picture Frames
Metal
Antique 19th Century English Moorish Desks and Writing Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
20th Century Syrian Moorish Armchairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary South Korean Organic Modern Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Resin
Vintage 1910s Indian British Colonial Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl
Vintage 1920s Indian Art Deco Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Upholstery, Lacquer, Wood
1990s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Coconut, Shell
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Chairs
Shell, Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Syrian Armchairs
Bone, Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Indian Side Chairs
Rattan, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Early 20th Century Syrian Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique 19th Century Syrian Side Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Early 20th Century Syrian Moorish Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Chairs
Marble
Antique 19th Century Syrian Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Early 20th Century Turkish Moorish Side Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl
Antique Late 19th Century Syrian Islamic Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Syrian Other Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique 19th Century Asian Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
20th Century Syrian Moorish Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood, Boxwood, Mahogany
Antique 1890s Syrian Side Chairs
Bone, Fruitwood, Mother-of-Pearl
Vintage 1980s Indian Anglo-Indian Chairs
Shell, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary South Korean Lounge Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Early 20th Century Syrian Chairs
Mahogany, Pine, Mother-of-Pearl, Bone
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Chairs
Bone, Hardwood, Mother-of-Pearl
Antique 19th Century Syrian Chairs
Walnut, Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony
Antique 19th Century Syrian Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Asian Shell Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Asian Shell Chairs?
Finding the Right Chairs for You
Chairs are an indispensable component of your home and office. Can you imagine your life without the vintage, new or antique chairs you love?
With the exception of rocking chairs, the majority of the seating in our homes today — Windsor chairs, chaise longues, wingback chairs — originated in either England or France. Art Nouveau chairs, the style of which also originated in those regions, embraced the inherent magnificence of the natural world with decorative flourishes and refined designs that blended both curved and geometric contour lines. While craftsmanship and styles have evolved in the past century, chairs have had a singular significance in our lives, no matter what your favorite chair looks like.
“The chair is the piece of furniture that is closest to human beings,” said Hans Wegner. The revered Danish cabinetmaker and furniture designer was prolific, having designed nearly 500 chairs over the course of his lifetime. His beloved designs include the Wishbone chair, the wingback Papa Bear chair and many more.
Other designers of Scandinavian modernist chairs introduced new dynamics to this staple with sculptural flowing lines, curvaceous shapes and efficient functionality. The Paimio armchair, Swan chair and Panton chair are vintage works of Finnish and Danish seating that left an indelible mark on the history of good furniture design.
“What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts,” said Ray Eames.
Visionary polymaths Ray and Charles Eames experimented with bent plywood and fiberglass with the goal of producing affordable furniture for a mass market. Like other celebrated mid-century modern furniture designers of elegant low-profile furnishings — among them Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Finn Juhl — the Eameses considered ergonomic support, durability and cost, all of which should be top of mind when shopping for the perfect chair. The mid-century years yielded many popular chairs.
The Eameses introduced numerous icons for manufacturer Herman Miller, such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, molded plywood dining chairs the DCM and DCW (which can be artfully mismatched around your dining table) and a wealth of other treasured pieces for the home and office.
A good chair anchors us to a place and can become an object of timeless appeal. Take a seat and browse the rich variety of vintage, new and antique chairs on 1stDibs today.
- What are Shell Chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023Shell chairs are iconic mid-century modern chairs designed by Hans J. Wegner and first released in 1963. In terms of both process and aesthetics, the Shell chair was ahead of its time when it was introduced. The expressive seat and back are made out of form-pressed oak or walnut laminates and topped with upholstered cushions for maximum comfort. Its design includes a tapered three-leg structure with two front legs made of one continuous piece and a separate hind leg that supports the backrest. This gives the chair a feeling of lightness without sacrificing stability. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Shell chairs.
- Is the Shell Chair comfortable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Whether the Shell chair is comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, creator Hans J. Wegner designed the curves of the backrest and the seat to complement the contours of the human body in order to provide ample support when the Shell chair made its debut in 1963. Chairs became Wegner’s specialty, and over the years he designed over 500 of them. More than 100 of his designs, such as the Wishbone chair and the Papa Bear chair, went into production. Shop a selection of Shell chairs and other vintage Hans Wegner seating on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Whether or not the Wegner shell chair is comfortable is largely a matter of personal preference. Wegner did design the dramatically curved seat and gently tapered back to properly support the contours of the human body. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Hans Wegner chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024The history of the Wegner Shell Chair begins in 1963. Hans J. Wegner unveiled the chair at the Furniture Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark. Often described as being "wing-like," the chair's radical fluid lines were considered a bit too futuristic at the time. Initially, mixed reviews from critics and the general public, as well as production difficulties, resulted in a very limited early run. Twelve new models were produced for a retrospective exhibition celebrating Wegner's 77th birthday in 1989, and the design began garnering renewed attention (a photograph of the chair was even selected to grace the cover of the exhibition catalog). In 1998, nearly a decade following the piece's reemergence at the retrospective event, Carl Hansen & Søn reintroduced the Shell chair 35 years after it was first released, and it has felt relevant ever since. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Hans Wegner Shell chairs.
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