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Two French Mid Century Modern Children s Shell Chairs in Iron and Red Plush 1950
Located in Escalona, Toledo
Pair of kids chairs with shell-shaped iron structure, eagle legs with aluminum appliqués and red
Category

Mid-19th Century French Mid-Century Modern Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Iron

Pair of Shell-Carved Chairs
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Provenance: Private collection, Corpus Cristi, TX.
Category

18th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Pine

Pair of oak shell motif chairs
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
pair of Queen Anne-style oak side chairs, carved shell-motif RL stiped fabric inserts
Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Oak

Venetian Grotto Chair- Shell Form
Located in Stamford, CT
Venetian Grotto Chair- Shell Form-dyed fruitwood late 19th century to early 20th century
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Fruitwood

Pair of shell back chairs
Located in London, GB
An unusual 1920s painted side chair, the back in the form of a scallop shell, with a later copy.
Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Shell Chair

George II Side Chair with Shell Motifs
Located in New York, NY
This fine English George II period walnut side chair has a finely curved splat back above a slip
Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

Pair of 19th Century English Mahogany Shell-Back Hall Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of English mahogany carved shell-back hall chairs, circa 1830.
Category

Mid-19th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Irish 19thC Highly Carved Mahogany Hall Chairs with Shell Backs c1850
Located in London, GB
Very fine Irish highly carved Mahogany hall chairs with scallop shell backs circa1850. The carved
Category

19th Century Irish Antique Shell Chair

Good Pair Of Gillows Shell Back Hall Chairs, The Craftsman T. C.
By Gillows of Lancaster London
Located in New York, NY
A good pair of shell-back hall chairs, by Gillows of London and Lancaster with excellent carving
Category

19th Century British Regency Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Pair of Gillows Shell Back Hall Chairs by Anderton
By Gillows of Lancaster London
Located in New York, NY
A superb pair of shell-back hall chairs, by Gillows of London and Lancaster with excellent carving
Category

19th Century British Regency Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Four Baltic Neoclassical Shell Inlaid Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
by an inlaid conch shell within a pale green stained wood oval (Three chairs feature the shell
Category

1890s Danish Neoclassical Revival Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Ormolu

Early Victorian Mahogany Peach Velvet Upholstered Shell Backed Chair c.1840
Located in Bedford, Bedfordshire
The shell or scalloped shaped parlour chair, in a peach coloured fabric with single piping, having
Category

1840s English Early Victorian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

English Mid 19th Century Pair of Hall Chairs, Carved Mahogany, Shell and Flowers
Located in Wells, ME
English mid 19th century pair of mahogany hall chairs. This striking pair of chairs has deeply
Category

Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

A Rare Pair of George II Eagle and Shell Carved Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Woodbury, CT
A rare pair of walnut shell and eagle carved side chairs with petit pointe needlepoint seat covers
Category

18th Century and Earlier British George II Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

Childs Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
A decorative small tortoise shell bamboo childs chair made about 1880.
Category

19th Century English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood, Bamboo, Rattan

Louis XIV Side Chair
Located in New Orleans, LA
Well carved walnut side chair with scallop shell carved cresting.
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

19th C Paper Mache Chair
Located in Santa Rosa, CA
Beautiful papier mache chair with shell inlay and painted finish
Category

19th Century English Antique Shell Chair

Grotto Side Chair Circa 1880
By Pauly Co.
Located in London, GB
an open scallop shell and supported on conch shell legs. This fantastical chair is an example of
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Shell Chair

Six Italian Lacquer and Gilt Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
"ancient" framed within a sea shell. These chairs are over the top.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Upholstery

Ethiopian Chair
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Ethiopian high-back chair with brass shell casing adornments on seat and top of backrest. These
Category

19th Century Ethiopian Antique Shell Chair

Papier Mache Victorian Painted and Mother of Pearl Inlaid Chairs
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Pair of Victorian papier mache chairs, floral painted motifs, mother of pearl inlay and polychrome
Category

19th Century English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood, Shell, Paint, Papier Mâché

Pair of Louis XV green painted side chairs
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Louis XV style green painted side chairs, probably early Maison Jansen, having a shell and
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

Venetian Painted Chair
Located in Montecito, CA
Venetian side chair with original paint. The carved wood shell at chair top is silver-leafed
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

A Pair Of Irish George II Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Knutsford, GB
details that give away the origin of these chairs. The shell motif whilst also used in English works is a
Category

18th Century and Earlier Irish Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

A Georgian Hall Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Georgian Hall Chair with scrolled Shell and Armorial Stag decoration. Richly patinated mahogany.
Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

French Louis XV Period, Pair of Carved Caned Chairs, circa 1750
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
, pair carved beechwood caned chairs with shell and acanthus carved top rail and leaf carved arms and
Category

1740s French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Beech

French Louis XV Period, Set of Six Carved Caned Chairs, circa 1750
By Jean-Baptiste Cresson
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
elegant set of six Louis XV period beechwood carved caned chairs, with shell and acanthus carved top rail
Category

1740s French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Beech

Set of Four Carved Caned Chairs Stamped by Jean-Baptiste Cresson Circa 1750
By Jean-Baptiste Cresson
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
period, gorgeous and rare set of carved beechwood caned chairs with shell and acanthus carved top rail
Category

1740s French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Beech

Large George III Style Wing Chair
Located in Stamford, CT
Large George III Style Wing Chair with shell on cabriole front legs
Category

19th Century English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Tony Duquette Estate Inlaid Slipper Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
A lyrical inlaid shell and decorative floral painted chair from the estate sale of Tony Duquette.
Category

Early 20th Century Antique Shell Chair

Pair of Chippendale Design Side Chairs
Located in Peterborough, Northamptonshire
A very finely carved pair of Chippendale design side Chairs with shell and scroll decoration
Category

19th Century British Chippendale Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Queen Anne Walnut Veneered Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
foot panels and shell-carved knees places this chair as part of the same set as a side chair and two
Category

18th Century and Earlier Antique Shell Chair

Chinese Horseshoe Back Carved Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
shell accents, and cushion. Dimensions: 32"H x 23"W x 23"D. Ask us about local NYC delivery.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Shell, Upholstery, Wood

Near Pair of Walnut Rococo Single Chairs
By Giles Grendey
Located in Sutton Coldfield, GB
chairs in walnut, with a hooped back design – an open convex strapwork in the form of a shell, supported
Category

1740s Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

Set of Four French Louis XV Style Giltwood Side Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine set of four Louis XV style giltwood side chairs. Having shell and foilage carving throughout
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

Set of Six Paisley Upholstered Dining Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of Six Paisley Upholstered Dining Chairs with carved shell apron
Category

19th Century French Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Oak

Set of Six George III Dining Chairs
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
A set of six George III dining chairs with claw and ball feet, extensively carved backs and shell
Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

Set of Eight William IV Dining Chairs
Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire
the back is a carved scroll joining at the middle with a carved shell. The chairs stand on front legs
Category

1830s English William IV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Eight Mahogany Victorian Dining Chairs in the Georgian Style
Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire
knees. The legs end on pad feet with shell carving. These are exceptional chairs, made by a cabinet
Category

1880s English George I Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish Rococo Style Painted Walnut Dining Chairs, 1920s, Set of 8
Located in Bodicote, Oxfordshire
A charming set of 8 painted early 20th century Swedish Rococo style dining chairs with carved shell
Category

1920s Swedish Rococo Revival Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

Napoleon III Shell Back Arm Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
French armchair with delicate curved form. Newly upholstered. Simple tapered legs.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Antique Shell Chair

French Napoleon III Shell Back Arm Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A French Napoleon III arched back upholstered chair having slightly rolled arms. Raised on turned
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Shell Chair

1920s Artdeco walnut shell armchairs
By Harry Lou Epstein Furniture Co
Located in Haywards Heath, GB
Wonderful 1920s shell back swivel chairs. Hand carved walnut frame, with an inlay of pearls in
Category

1920s Italian Art Deco Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Silk, Walnut

English Library Chair with Hairy Paw Feet
Located in Wells, ME
A striking George ll carved mahogany library chair with shell and pendant leaf-carved cabriole legs
Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Beech

19th Century Matched Pair of Irish Carved Walnut Corner Elbow Chairs
Located in London, west Sussex
with shells and acanthus leaves. Each chair measures 32 in – 81.3 cm wide, 25 in – 63.5 cm deep and 30
Category

Late 19th Century Irish Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

A 19th Century George II Style Walnut Open Armchair
Located in Long Island City, NY
with center shell carving, the chair raised on front cabriole legs with shell and leaf carvings on the
Category

19th Century British Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

A Pair Of Mid 18th Century Louis XV Caned Walnut Armchairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of Frenh Règence caned open arm chairs with carved shell, scroll and leaf decoration. With
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Cane, Walnut

Pair of 19th Century French Carved Giltwood Upholstered Wingback Armchairs
Located in London, west Sussex
scroll feet and also features a shaped apron with a central shell motif. Each chair measures 26 ½ in
Category

19th Century British Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Walnut George I Style Armchairs
Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire
circa 1910 in one of the best workshops of the day. Each chair has a hand embroidered shaped drop in
Category

1910s English George I Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Louis XV Carved Giltwood Fauteuils
By Jean-Baptiste Lebas
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
apron carved with roses, all raised on cabriole legs with shell-carved knees. The chairs are stamped "l
Category

Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

Pair of Antique George I Style English Walnut Eagle Head Armchairs, circa 1890
Located in Houston, TX
of the chairs. The stylized shells and the descending series of bell flowers are set at the top and
Category

1890s English George I Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

Regency Slipper Chair of Spoon-Back Shape
By Thomas Hope
Located in Richmond, London
Furniture Frances Collard, 1985 pg. 106.  A related pair of 'Shell chairs richly inlaid with ebony in
Category

Early 19th Century English Greek Revival Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

Irish 19th Century Pair of Architectural Hall Chairs with Shell Backs
By Gillows of Lancaster London
Located in Richmond, London
chair having the scalloped shell carved back, moulded trapezoidal solid seat, raised on boldly scrolled
Category

Early 19th Century British Palladian Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

A Pair of English Regency Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A pair of English Regency mahogany hall chairs with carved shell backs and turned front legs
Category

Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Mahogany

Set of 8 Edwardian Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire
shepherd crook arms. The chairs are made in the Queen Anne-George I style with the shell carved cabriole
Category

1910s European Queen Anne Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Set of Six French Farmhouse Dining Chairs
Located in Bournemouth, GB
chairs with carved shell decoration to the top rail and floral carvings to the legs and frame with
Category

Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Rush, Oak

Caned Louis XV Style Bergere, France 19th Century
Located in San Antonio, TX
. Chair has shell and other carved detailing and cabriole legs. Caning is in very good condition.
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Shell Chair

Materials

Wood

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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 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 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 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.