Clam Shell Chair

Questions About Clam Shell Chair

• Where can I find giant clam shells?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  In nature, you can find giant clam shells along the shorelines of the Philippines and in the Sabah coral reefs in Malaysian Borneo. To purchase giant clam shells, check out reputable online platforms, auction houses and antique stores. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of giant clam shells.

• Who designed the clam chair?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023

  Arnold Madsen designed the Clam chair. In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen, an upholsterer by profession who created it in Copenhagen in 1944. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Clam chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.

• Is the Clam chair comfortable?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023

  Yes, the Clam chair is comfortable. Arnold Madsen designed the angle of the seat and the curving contours of the iconic chair to fit the shape of the human body so that the piece could provide optimal support. Although for decades, the piece was the victim of cheap reproductions and misattributions, to fellow Scandinavians Viggo Boesen and Martin Olsen, among others, in recent years it has steadily climbed the ranks in the trophy market, going for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction. Today, it’s one of the fashion set’s most beloved pieces, with fans as starry as Los Angeles art dealer Maggie Kayne and style setter Vanessa Traina. Find a range of Clam chairs on 1stDibs.

• What are Shell Chairs?

  1 Answer
  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.

• Is the Shell Chair comfortable?

  1 Answer
  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.

• Is the Wegner shell chair comfortable?

  1 Answer
  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.

• What is the history of the Wegner Shell chair?

  1 Answer
  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.