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Bistro Set, Cast Iron Table and Chairs with Shell Sea Horses
Located in Long Island, NY
A three-piece cast iron Bistro set, the chairs are cast iron and maintain their original wooden
Category

1920s American Folk Art Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Iron

Pair of Gilded Portuguese Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Completely restored heavily carved chairs with remnants of water guilding combined with gold leaf
Category

19th Century Portuguese Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Shell

Elegant Pair of Caned Walnut Chairs
Located in New Jersey City, NJ
The frame is in walnut and carved with shells. The chairs are early 19th century. On image no 3
Category

19th Century French Antique Shell Chair

Mahogany and Leather Large Childs Armchair
Located in Suffolk, GB
and flower decoration as well as scallop shell and other carving. The chair uprights lead down to
Category

19th Century British Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Set of Eighteen Georgian English Dining Chairs, 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
An elegant nineteenth-century set of eighteen George III solid mahogany carved dining chairs with a
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Italian Carved Wood Grotto Chair
Located in East Hampton, NY
19th century Venetian Grotto shell chair.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

Art Deco Red Velvet Upholstered Club Chair
Located in Astoria, NY
Art Deco red velvet upholstered club shell chair enhanced with heavily carved wood arms and base
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Six Italian 19th Century Painted Side Chairs with Shell-Carved Back
Located in Doylestown, PA
Six Italian 19th century klismos side chairs with elaborate shell-carved back rails, parcel-gilt
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Shell

4 Early dining chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1957
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Amstelveen, NL
'Munkegaard' chair from 1957 is the third of Arne Jacobsen’s original shell chairs. It was designed for the
Category

19th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Steel

Victorian Upholstered Shell Back Chair
By Joseph Meeks
Located in New York, NY
Stylish Victorian upholstered lounge, side chair. Upholstered back and seat on rosewood legs, with
Category

Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Rosewood, Upholstery

Pair of 19th Century English Oak Shell Back Hall Chairs
Located in Water Mill, NY
Pair of 19th century English oak shell back hall chairs with carved shell backs and turned front
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Oak

Pair of Shell-Back Hall Chairs, Late 18th-Early 19th Century
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A pair of especially finely carved shell-back hall chairs, late 18th-early 19th Century, likely
Category

Late 18th Century Northern Irish Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

Six Italian 19th Century Painted Side Chairs with Shell-Carved Back
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Six Italian 19th century klismos side chairs with elaborate shell-carved back rails, parcel-gilt
Category

19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Cane, Wood

Regency Style Hall-Chair, Shell-Back, Gillows Model, Late 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Regency style carved mahogany hall chair, standing on two turned tapered front legs and two saber
Category

Late 19th Century British Regency Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

A Fine Pair of English Antique Shell Back Hall Chairs
By Gillows of Lancaster London
Located in Faversham, GB
A beautiful pair of carved scallop shell back hall chairs attributed to Gillows of Lancaster and
Category

Mid-19th Century British Regency Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Oak

Pair of Antique Burl Walnut Side Chairs With Carved Shell Detail
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great pair of walnut side or hall chairs in Baroque style. Fabulous colour of wood and leather
Category

1910s English Baroque Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Art Deco Cotton Velvet Shell Armchair
Located in London, GB
this rare and beautiful chair. The fabric has no rips or tears. The shell shaped seat is set on an
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Velvet

Fine Set of Eleven Chippendale Shell Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Shippensburg, PA
a shell. This is the only carved embellishment on the chairs, the crisp ribbing rubbed into a
Category

Late 18th Century British Chippendale Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Art Deco Steel Metal Clam Shell Back Green Patio Bouncer Lounge Chairs, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Art Deco steel metal clam shell back green patio bouncer lounge chairs - a pair. Item
Category

Early 20th Century North American Art Deco Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Steel

Art Deco Steel Metal Clam Shell Back Green Patio Bouncer Lounge Chairs, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Art Deco steel metal clam shell back green patio bouncer lounge chairs - a pair. Item
Category

Early 20th Century North American Art Deco Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Steel

18th Century Shell Carved Comb Back Windsor Armchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine 18th Century English shell carved comb back Windsor armchair with scroll carved fan over
Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Elm, Ash, Fruitwood, Beech

Set of 9 Carved Mahogany Irish Shell and Ball and Claw Chippendale Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
These gorgeous chairs feature a unique design that we have never seen before. The chairs are made
Category

1920s English Chippendale Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

George II Walnut Wingchair with Shell Carved Legs
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pretty George II period walnut wing armchair, the shaped back over cabriole legs with shell
Category

18th Century and Earlier English George II Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut, Suede

Pair of Venetian Grotto chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of 18th century Venetian Grotto chairs in scallop shell form
Category

18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

Important Pair of Irish Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
Important Pair of Irish carved mahogany Rococo side chairs with shell ear terminals on the crest
Category

18th Century and Earlier Irish Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Chippendale Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
A pair of George II Chippendale carved mahogany side chairs, with a shell carved and scroll eared
Category

1760s European Chippendale Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Chippendale Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Pair of George II Chippendale carved mahogany side chairs, with a shell carved and scroll eared
Category

1760s European Chippendale Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Boho Hand Carved Clamshell Side Chairs - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Stunning pair of vintage Boho side chairs. Beautiful classic shape with hand carved clam shell
Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Shell, Upholstery

Impressive Set of 8 Renaissance Hunt Pavilion Chairs in Walnut circa 1850 -1X16
Located in Bordeaux, FR
backs, exuding both elegance and comfort. Adorned with ornate shell and tassel carvings, these chairs
Category

1850s Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

George I Style Giltwood Side Chair
By Lenygon Morant
Located in Westwood, NJ
A rare and unusual George I style giltwood strapwork carved side chair, the shell crestrail over a
Category

Early 20th Century British George I Antique Shell Chair

Set of 6 Louis XV Beechwood Side Chairs
Located in Hixson, TN
Very fine example of Louis XV style side chairs. A carved shell on the crest of the chair. Shaped
Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Beech

Pair of English Regency Mahogany Hall Chairs Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English Regency mahogany hall chairs with carved shell motif.
Category

18th Century and Earlier British Regency Antique Shell Chair

Pair of Philadelphia Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Milford, NH
A finely carved pair of Centennial Philadelphia Chippendale style side chairs with shell carved
Category

Late 19th Century American Chippendale Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

19th Century Antique Venetian Carved Gold Giltwood Throne Chairs, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning pair of antique Venetian throne or court chairs with carved shells, foliate details, and
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

Louis XV Style Walnut Side Chair 19th C. Set of 8
Located in Hixson, TN
with a scroll foot. The crest of the back of the chair is centered with a complimentary shell carving
Category

1890s French Antique Shell Chair

Matched Pair of George II Style Walnut Leather Upholstered Wing Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
, fitted seat, raised on carved legs, one with shell carvings, both chairs having pad feet, dimensions are
Category

1890s Italian George II Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

Pair of 19th Century English Walnut Side Chairs with Zebra Hide Seats
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A pair of 19th century English walnut side chairs, each with shell cresting above a shaped splat
Category

19th Century English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut, Zebra Hide

Elegant Early 18th c. Danish Rococo Chairs (4)
Located in Greenwich, CT
Set of four walnut Rococo chairs with shell and foliate carving, the solid backsplat over balloon
Category

18th Century and Earlier Danish Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

Set of 8 Danish Rococo Chairs, Circa 1740 - 1750
Located in San Marino, CA
Danish Rococo chairs, very rare set of two arm and six side chairs, original finish, shell motif
Category

18th Century and Earlier Danish Antique Shell Chair

Set of Ten 19th Century Painted Carved Italian Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
". Notice the lion carved finials and the lion faces on the base of the chairs along with a carved shell
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

Set of Six French Oak Ladder Back Chairs with Rush Seats
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charming set of six French oak ladder back chairs made in the 1940s. A beautiful carved shell
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Rush, Oak

Set of Eight French Oak Ladder Back Chairs with Rush Seats
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
emblazoned with beautifully carved shell cartouches. The chairs feature cabriole front legs that have
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Rush, Oak

Set of Ten Ebonized and Gilt Decorated Dining Chairs by Maison Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
Set of ten ebonized and gilt decorated dining chairs by Maison Jansen. Typical Jansen Style
Category

Early 20th Century French Hollywood Regency Antique Shell Chair

19th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut and Cane Chairs, Set of Six
Located in Dallas, TX
with a floral medallion. Scalloped apron embellished with shell and foliage motifs. The chair features
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Leather, Cane, Walnut

19th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut and Cane Chairs, Set of Six
Located in Dallas, TX
with a floral medallion. Scalloped apron embellished with shell and foliage motifs. The chair features
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Leather, Cane, Walnut

Set of Six 19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Walnut Ladder Back Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
, each large chair has a tall pitched back with three ladders embellished by a carved shell motif. The
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Century French Carved Painted Set of Eight Louis XV Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
the frame, which includes a hand carved shell at the pediment. Each chair is upholstered with a
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Muslin, Oak, Paint

19th Century French Louis XV Carved Oak and Cane Side Chairs, Set of Six
Located in Dallas, TX
decorated with a floral medallion. Scalloped apron embellished with shell and foliage motifs. The chair
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Cane, Oak

Pair of Louis XVL Style Giltwood Side
Located in Cheshire, GB
Pair of Louis XVL style giltwood side chairs with a shell crest and leaf swept scrolling frame, the
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Giltwood

Mahogany Grotto Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Venetian stained mahogany grotto chair. Shell carved back and seat with dolphin arms. Morticed
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Italian Carved Arm Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Italian carved shell form arm chairs with sea dragon arms.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

Pair of Antique Silver Leaf Grotto Chairs
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of Venetian carved wood silver leaf grotto chairs. Whimsically carved chairs with shell back
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Venetian Gilt Swan Grotto Chair
Located in Essex, MA
Rare and complete 19th century carved and gilt Venetian swan Grotto chair. Realistically and
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood, Beech

Pair of Antique Renaissance Style Walnut Wood Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of Italian Renaissance Style chairs has exquisitely hand carved motifs that are carved
Category

19th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

English Children s Burnt Tortoise Bamboo Upholstered Leopard Print Chair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
English small children’s burnt bamboo (also known as tortoise shell bamboo) chair. This small chair
Category

Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo

A fine pair of george II style mahogany tapestry arm chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
A fine pair of george II style mahogany tapestry arm chairs. The shell carved cabriole legs on
Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Four 19th Century Mustard Original Painted Arrow Back Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
. These fancy paint decorated chairs have shells painted on the top splash of the chair back. The unusual
Category

Early 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Pine

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Antique Shell Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal antique shell chair for your home. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and metal, every antique shell chair was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer antique shell chair, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right antique shell chair, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Georgian and Regency styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made antique shell chair over the years, but those crafted by Gillows of Lancaster London, Charles Eames and Charles and Ray Eames are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Antique Shell Chair?

Prices for an antique shell chair can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $95 and can go as high as $45,000, while the average can fetch as much as $3,554.

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 Antique Shell Chair
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
    Shell 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    Whether 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, 2022
    Whether 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, 2024
    The 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    An antique Bergère chair is a Victorian-era French armchair, often with upholstered armrests and a removable seat cushion. The curved back of this chair would be crafted with wicker. Shop a collection of Bergère chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Bergere chairs are a type of upholstered French armchair that have an enclosed design. They’re designed for lounging comfortably and usually feature deep, wide seats. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique Bergere chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    To tell if your rocking chair is an antique, search the back, rockers and the underside of the seat for a label, stamp or other marking. If you locate one, conduct online research using trusted resources to learn about the maker. By finding out when the manufacturer produced chairs similar to yours, you may be able to determine if your chair is at least 100 years old, making it an antique. If you cannot find a maker's mark, consider contacting a certified appraiser or antique dealer and asking them to date your piece for you. Explore a range of antique rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
    To tell if a dining chair is antique, first look for markings that can help you identify the maker. You will normally find these under the seat. By using information published on trusted online resources, you can research the markings to learn who made the chair and when the maker was active. Any dining chair made 100 years ago or earlier is an antique. Another way to identify antique chairs is to examine their details closely. Most antique dining chairs are handmade, so you can expect to see subtle tool markings and slight irregularities. A lack of these characteristics may indicate that a dining chair is machine-made and less likely to be an antique. For assistance with dating your dining chairs, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique dining chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
    To find out what your antique chair is worth, you can conduct research using trusted online resources. Specifically, study the sales history for pieces similar to yours in terms of maker, age, style and type. Because the condition of your chair will also impact its value, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer inspect and evaluate your piece. Find a collection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    To tell how old an antique chair is, you have a few options. One is to conduct research on your own using trusted online resources and print references from your local library. If your chair has a maker's mark, learning more about the company, artisan or workshop that produced it can be a good starting point. Dating unmarked chairs can be more difficult because certain styles remained in production for long periods. In this case, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your chair for you. Shop a wide range of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Depending on the quality, age, and model, Koken vintage barber chairs can sell for $500 to $6000. Older chairs will often have a higher value.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    There is no universal guideline for determining the value of antique high chairs. Typically, high chairs can cost anywhere between $50 and $500. The price of a high chair is determined by the condition of the chair, its construction, whether or not all parts are intact and its desirability.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020

    The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood. Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.