Who made the first iron chairs in Britain?

In Britain, John Wilkinson made the first mass-produced iron chairs during the 1770s. However, handcrafted iron chairs appeared much earlier. In the mid-thirteenth century, King Edward I commissioned three iron chairs for St. Paul’s Cathedral. The artisan who made these pieces is unknown. On 1stDibs, find a range of iron chairs.

1970 Iron Chair

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1970 Iron Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the 1970 iron chair you’re looking for. Each 1970 iron chair for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, iron and fabric. If you’re shopping for a 1970 iron chair, we have 875 options in-stock, while there are 2 modern editions to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer 1970 iron chair, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right 1970 iron chair, those designed in mid-century modern, Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made 1970 iron chair over the years, but those crafted by Cassina, Knoll and Afra Tobia Scarpa are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a 1970 Iron Chair?

A 1970 iron chair can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,198, while the lowest priced sells for $20 and the highest can go for as much as $700,000.

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.

Questions About 1970 Iron Chair

Who made the first iron chairs in Britain?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
In Britain, John Wilkinson made the first mass-produced iron chairs during the 1770s. However, handcrafted iron chairs appeared much earlier. In the mid-thirteenth century, King Edward I commissioned three iron chairs for St. Paul’s Cathedral. The artisan who made these pieces is unknown. On 1stDibs, find a range of iron chairs.

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