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Pierre Guariche Prototype Chair
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Stratford, CT
Very rare indeed, these lounge chairs are unlike any other, updated with upholstery crisply
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Ward Bennett Prototype Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
These chairs are purportedly the prototypes for the very successful scissor chair that Ward Bennett
Category
Vintage 1960s American Lounge Chairs
Materials
Leather
Robert Whitton Prototype Chair #2
By Robert Whitton
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Robert Whitton one off aluminum chair circa late 1980's. This example has been newly powder coated
Category
Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Walnut Leather
Bronze Prototype Chair by Allen Ditson
By Allen Ditson
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Walnut leather and bronze prototype chair by Allen Ditson circa early 1960's. This example has
Category
Vintage 1960s American Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Industrialist Prototype Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Metal Frame with Plywood Seat and Back. Unknown designer, age estimated at 1960. Set Price.
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
A RARE TOM DIXON UNIQUE PROTOTYPE CHAIR
Located in NYC, NY
A prototype using intertubes on a metal frame of a later production piece. Beautiful lines and the
Category
Late 20th Century English Chairs
Materials
Metal
Prototype Chair by Albert Haberer, 1950s Germany
By Albert Haberer
Located in Hellouw, NL
Rare Prototype Easy chair by Albert Haberer from the 1950s, Germany. Only three of them were made
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Prototype Robert Whitton Bird Chairs
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Pair of prototype chairs designed by Robert Whitton circa late 1980's. These examples have
Category
Late 20th Century American Side Chairs
Materials
Steel
Prototype Allen Ditson Wood Leather and Raffia Chair
By Allen Ditson
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Sculptural prototype chair with interlaced raffia seat and soft buff leather back by Arizona
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Raffia, Wood
Rob Edley Welborn Prototype Neo-Adirondack Chair
By Rob Edley Welborn
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A unique prototype chair by the re-known architect and furniture designer Rob Edley Welborn. This
Category
2010s American Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wood
Prototype Van Keppel and Green Lounge Chair with Great Provenance
Located in Stamford, CT
This Prototype chair was made in anticipation of a partnership with Brown Saltman that was never
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Plywood Dutch Constructivist Style Chairs
By Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Surbiton, GB
A great pair of handmade plywood prototype chairs in the Dutch constructivist style.
Dimensions
Category
20th Century British De Stijl Chairs
Materials
Plywood
Rob Edley Welborn Prototype Lounge Chair in Wood and Paint
By Rob Edley Welborn
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A unique prototype chair by the re-known architect and furniture designer Rob Edley Welborn. This
Category
Early 2000s American Lounge Chairs
Prototype Arm Chair by Robert Whitton
By Robert Whitton
Located in Phoenix, AZ
One off prototype chair by Robert Whitton circa late 1980's. This mirror polished example
Category
Late 20th Century American Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Rob Edley Welborn Prototype Lounge Chair in Plexiglass and Painted Wood
By Rob Edley Welborn
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A unique prototype chair by the re-known architect and furniture designer Rob Edley Welborn. This
Category
Early 2000s American Lounge Chairs
Materials
Acrylic
Rare Richard Nissen Teak Arm Chair c1979 Denmark
By Richard Nissen
Located in Oakland, CA
Stunning arm chair by Scandinavian designer Richard Nissen c1979. Most likely a prototype chair
Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Teak
Fabiaan Van Severen Constructive Side Chair, Belgium, 1980
By Fabiaan Van Severen
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful constructive prototype chair designed by Fabiaan Van Severen, Belgium, 1980. Very nice
Category
Vintage 1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Rare and Unique Chair in Cardboard Attributed to Frank Ghery
By Frank Gehry
Located in San Diego, CA
early 1980s, and was sold to her as a prototype chair by arq. Frank Ghery, the condition its very clean
Category
20th Century American Post-Modern Side Chairs
Alchemy Chair Prototype
By Rick Owens
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Rick Owens is a California-born 'luxe minimalism' designer. Inspired by his partner, Michele Lamy, Owens continues to explore and push the boundaries of fashion and design in deep ea...
Category
2010s European Minimalist Chairs
Materials
Bronze
$22,000
Rob Edley Welborn Prototype Lounge Chair in Spanish Cedar
By Rob Edley Welborn
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A unique prototype chair by the re-known architect and furniture designer Rob Edley Welborn. This
Category
Early 2000s American Chaise Longues
Modernist Robert Wagner Rowac Prototype Industrial Chair, circa 1920s
By Robert Wagner
Located in Gloucester, GB
- Believed to be an early Rowac Prototype chair
- German, circa 1920s.
- Measures: 37cm wide x 43cm deep x
Category
Vintage 1920s German Stools
Vintage Accent Chair Prototype
Located in High Point, NC
Combining classical markers of Belgian country style, this unique side chair was produced as a
Category
2010s Belgian Country Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
One off Aluminum
Cherry Chair by Robert Whitton
By Robert Whitton
Located in Phoenix, AZ
One off aluminum and cherry chair by Robert Whitton circa mid 1980's. This prototype chair has a
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Tom Dixon Prototype
S
Chair
By Tom Dixon
Located in New York, NY
One of Tom Dixon's prototype 'S' chairs made of a thick rope weave and steel.
(Provenance
Category
20th Century British Chairs
Materials
Metal
Prototype Robert Whitton Aluminum Chair
Located in Phoenix, AZ
One off chair by Florida and Arizona architect Robert Whitton circa late 1980's. Mirror polished
Category
Late 20th Century American Chairs
Materials
Metal
Rare Mid-Century Prototype Armless Chairs
By Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of Mid-Century armless chairs have been newly upholstered in bottle green leather.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
Robert Whitton Prototype Post Modern Chair
By Robert Whitton
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Robert Whitton one off aluminum chair circa late 1980's. This example has been newly powder coated
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Ole Henriksen Easy Chair Prototype
By Ole Henriksen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique easy chair designed by Ole Henriksen, with intricate natural linen rope weaving on a
Category
Early 2000s Danish Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Hans Olsen Bikini Chair, Prototype
By Hans Olsen, Frem Røjle
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hans Olsen Bikini chair with new lacquered frame.
New upholstered with vintage tan aniline
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Leather
Jean Prouvé Wooden Standard Chair Prototype, 1940s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A prototype of Standard Chair, one of Jean Prouve's most famous chairs.
The design and the
Category
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Plywood
Prototype Stacked Plywood Chair by Peter Qvist
By Peter Qvist Lorentsen
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Prototype stacked enameled birch chair by Peter Qvist for PQL Studio circa mid 1990's. This unusual
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Chairs
Prototype Allen Ditson Walnut and Leather Chairs
By Allen Ditson
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Pair of prototype solid walnut and leather accent chairs by Arizona designer Allen Ditson. Allen
Category
Vintage 1960s American Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
GETAMA Hans Wegner Prototype Lounge Chair
Located in Oosterbeek, NL
Rare Wegner easy chair with ottoman.
It is a prototype named GE 440. This item is produced in
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Otto Korhonen chair prototype for 611 chair by alvar aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
early modernism item form.
It is prototype for 611 chair by alvar aalto.
Category
Vintage 1920s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Materials
Birch
Bernard Rancillac Elephant Chair Prototype 1960s
By Bernard Rancillac
Located in Dallas, TX
This example is not one of the chairs produced as part of the limited edition series of 100 in the
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Children Italian Chair Prototype by Pierluigi Ghianda, 1960s
By Pierluigi Ghianda
Located in Milano, IT
Small children's chair made as a prototype by the Italian master cabinetmaker Pierluigi Ghianda
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Children Italian Chair Prototype by Pierluigi Ghianda, 1960s
By Pierluigi Ghianda
Located in Milano, IT
Small children's chair made as a prototype by the Italian master cabinetmaker Pierluigi Ghianda
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Prototype Walnut
Linen Allen Ditson Chair
By Allen Ditson
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Free form walnut lounge chair by Allen Ditson from 1963. This signed and dated one off chair has a
Category
Vintage 1960s American Lounge Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Linen
Great pair of convertible steel armchair chaises prototypes
Located in Palm Springs, CA
be used as beds or lounges. They are likely prototype chairs, as we cannot find any other examples
Category
Vintage 1930s American Daybeds
Materials
Steel
Alessandro Mendini Prototype Ollo Chair Alchimea, 1988
By Gruppo Alchimia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Rare collectors item, prototype Ollo chair. Designed by Alessandro Mendini for Alchimia, Italy
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
Prototype Lounge Chair by Peter Qvist Lorentsen
By Peter Qvist Lorentsen
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This stunning chair was the prototype for a limited edition of 50 from Peter Qvist Lorentsen in red
Category
Early 2000s Danish Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Plywood
Prototype of "Coccinelle" chairs by René-Jean Caillette, Steiner
By René-Jean Caillette
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Prototype of the "Coccinelle" chair, originally designed by René-Jean Caillette for Steiner, this
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Chair by Terje Ekstrom Prototyped 1972 Produced 1984 Holland
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Ekstrom chair in original black fabric was first designed in 1972 then produced and sold in Holland
Category
Late 20th Century Dutch Chairs
Materials
Foam, Upholstery
Rare Wooden Vintage Slatted Popstical Stick Design Chair, Prototype, 1980s
Located in Hilversum, NL
Rare wooden vintage slatted popstical stick design chair, prototype, 1980s.
Category
Vintage 1980s Space Age Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Modern Rare Prototype Set Chairs by Augusto Bozzi
By Augusto Bozzi
Located in Weesp, NL
Augusto Bozzi rare prototype set.
This prototype set of chairs were designed by Augusto Bozzi
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Unique prototype Art Deco club chair, France 1940s
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Prototype Art Deco club chair, France 1940s. Unique chair made as a prototype / experiment; the
Category
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Materials
Wood
Max Gottschalk Prototype Leather Sling Chair, US, 1960s
By Max Gottschalk
Located in Berlin, DE
A low prototype lounge chair designed by Max Gottschalk. The chair is made of metal pipes and thick
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Alessandro Mendini Prototype Ollo Chair for Alchimia, 1988
By Alessandro Mendini, Gruppo Alchimia
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare collectors item, prototype Ollo chair. Designed by Alessandro Mendini for Alchimia, Italy
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
Gideon Kramer Prototype "Ion" Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gideon Kramer prototype "Ion" armchair, 1962
Category
Vintage 1960s American Chairs
Materials
Plastic
Handcrafted Chair Unique Prototype Mounted on Cylinder Solid Wood 1980s Unique
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
French chair from the 80s made by unidentified craftsmen. This unique model (prototype) was
Category
Vintage 1980s French Industrial Chairs
Materials
Metal
Unique Set of Two Prototype Dining Chairs
Located in Munich, DE
sculptor ben nicholson, who created his famous standard chair for the pioneer health centre in peckham
Category
Vintage 1930s British Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Jordan Mozer Prototype Victory Lounge Chair from Artists Collection
By Jordan Mozer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Victory lounge chair prototype designed by Jordan Mozer was acquired from the artists private
Category
2010s American Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Rye for Marble Furniture Co. Chair Prototype Tubular Steel Cushion Lenor Larsen
By Ralph Rye
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A unique chair prototype – a lounge chair by Ralph Rye for Marble Furniture Company. Circa 1970
Category
Vintage 1970s American Chairs
Materials
Steel
Ralph Rye for Dunbar Chair Prototype Tubular Steel Cushion Orange Knoll Fabric
By Ralph Rye
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A rare chair prototype – the “Rye Chair” by Ralph Rye for Dunbar / Dux Furniture. Circa 1970. The
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
One of Four Prototype Dining Chairs by Nanna Ditzel in Oregon Pine
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Munich, DE
Made by Poul Christiansen. A set of four chairs plus table have been exhibited at the 'Snedkerlaugs
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Woven Grounds Chair, Prototype, Award Winning by Vanessa Lee Jackson/ Sculpture
By Oliver Lee Jackson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Woven Grounds Chair, prototype. Award winning by Vanessa Lee Jackson/ sculpture.
narrate my
Category
2010s Canadian Folk Art Lounge Chairs
Materials
Iron
Prototype Charles and Ray Eames Rope Edge Dax
By Zenith, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Dronten, NL
Exceptional example of the Charles and Ray Eames Dax molded fiberglass arm shell chair for Herman
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
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Prototype Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the prototype chair you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, metal and fabric, every prototype chair was constructed with great care. If you’re shopping for a prototype chair, we have 88 options in-stock, while there are 4 modern editions to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the prototype chair you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A prototype chair is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Scandinavian Modern styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one prototype chair that is appealing in its simplicity, but Rob Edley Welborn, ClassiCon and Gruppo Alchimia produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Prototype Chair?
Prices for a prototype chair can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $550 and can go as high as $95,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,500.
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.
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