High Back Shell Chair
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Aluminum, Steel
2010s Dutch Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s American American Classical Rocking Chairs
Cherry
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Lounge Chairs
Wood
2010s Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Chairs
Fruitwood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Textile, Ash
20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood, Beech, Teak
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Textile, Ash
1990s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Aluminum
1990s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Lounge Chairs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Lounge Chairs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Oak
2010s Italian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1930s Georgian Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
Antique 1880s English George I Chairs
Walnut
Antique 18th Century Portuguese Baroque Chairs
Walnut
2010s Italian Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Chairs
Aluminum
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Chairs
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Chairs
Cane, Giltwood
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal, Chrome
2010s German Chairs
Leather, Fabric
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bentwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
2010s German Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Antique Early 19th Century American Sheraton Chairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Naugahyde, Walnut
2010s Italian Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s German Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Antique 1880s European Chinese Chippendale Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 1780s English Corner Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Leather
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High Back Shell Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a High Back Shell Chair?
Finding the Right seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A high back office chair has a tall backrest to provide support to both your back and neck. It helps minimize the risk of chronic neck and back problems. These chairs also come with wheels attached for ease of mobility. Shop a range of antique and vintage high back office chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023High-backed old-fashioned chairs are often called wingback chairs. They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, vintage and modern wingback chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
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