Folding Chairs
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Swiss Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1980s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Italian Bauhaus Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Chairs
Plastic
Early 20th Century Austrian Chairs
Brass
20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rope, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
2010s German Modern Chairs
Plywood
2010s German Modern Chairs
Plywood
2010s German Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Canvas
Vintage 1940s French Colonial Revival Chairs
Leather, Bamboo
Vintage 1960s Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century French Chairs
Vintage 1950s American Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1930s French Industrial Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s French Chairs
Metal
20th Century Dutch Industrial Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Turkish Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Italian Chairs
Bamboo
Vintage 1960s Italian Chairs
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s German Chairs
Beech
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Rope, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1940s Unknown Neoclassical Revival Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Industrial Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s Italian Chairs
Aluminum
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Unknown Industrial Chairs
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Armchairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1920s Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Ash, Plywood
2010s French Chairs
Iron
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bamboo
2010s German Modern Chairs
Plywood
2010s German Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Ming Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1970s Swedish Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Chrome
Antique 1860s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1930s Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Seagrass
Antique Late 19th Century French Chairs
Rattan, Oak
2010s American Slipper Chairs
Metal
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Folding Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Folding 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.
- Who invented the folding chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Nathaniel Alexander invented the folding chair in 1911. During the 1950s, demand for the chairs skyrocketed with furniture makers like the Fredric Arnold Company in Brooklyn, New York, producing thousands every day. Find a variety of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021The most comfortable folding chair is really a matter of preference. When shopping for folding chairs, you’ll want to think about how you’ll use them, how often you’ll be using them and if you have a preference with respect to materials. Shop antique, vintage and new folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the folding chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Opinions vary on who designed the folding chair. Chairs designed to fold have existed since the ancient world, with examples found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. Some people argue that the original designer of the modern-day folding chair was John Cram, who patented an idea for a folding chair in 1855. However, others believe that Philip E.G. Harrison should get the credit because his 1931 design more closely resembles the modern-day folding chair. Nathaniel Alexander also contributed to the development of the folding chair with his 1911 chair that included a book rest, as did Frederic Arnold, who created the first folding aluminum chair in 1947. Shop a selection of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Chairs that fold up are usually called folding chairs. However, people may refer to them as collapsible chairs as well. Other names for folding chairs designed for outdoor use include deck chairs, beach chairs, lawn chairs, camping chairs and patio chairs. Shop a collection of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- Do butterfly chairs fold up?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether or not a butterfly chair will fold will depend on the make and model. The butterfly chair was originally designed with metal hairpin legs without hinges or joints. Collector versions of the butterfly chair will not be foldable, however, foldable designs are a popular silhouette for recreational seating.
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