This distinctive original vintage metal tubular stacking chair is a wonderful demonstration of efficient engineering and functional aesthetics.  Simple, distressed and iconic, the individual chairs would be a good move in creating a vintage-inspired dining room, retro kitchen or garden. They look good in any period home or setting. Produced in the modernist tubular style, the grey metal frame and plywood seat and backrest are a furniture design classic.

We have  2 red, framed with red-padded seats and 2 silver-framed with red-padded seats. Please let us know when ordering which you would like.

Metal Stacking Chair size: W43cm x D50cm x H85cm (seat height: 45cm).

The price is for a single chair.

Suitable for outdoor and restaurant/bar use. Sold individually. If you order more than 1 we are unable to send a set that matches each other. The makers' marques, the colour, wear and style may differ. If having all the chairs very similar is essential please contact us as soon as you have ordered. We can then check our available stock. The amount of paint on the seat, backrest and fame may differ from those shown in the photos. If you would like chairs with more or less paint let us know.

Condition report: The frames are structurally good. There is chipping, scratches and loss paint to the frames. The seats and backrests show discolouration, marks and scratches. Where the frames have brushed/rubbed against the edge of others whilst being stacked, there is some scuffing to the plywood frames. There is no delaminating or splits to the backrests or seats.

First introduced by PEL in 1932 and designed by Bruno Pollock in 1931, the first stacking chair had a grey tubular steel frame which was enamelled. The seat and backs were made from a red canvas.

There is obvious chipped and lost paint to the frames. The canvas is discoloured and there are some small light stains to some seats and backs. The canvas has frayed and shows small rips to where it's attached to the front of the frame. Overall they are in a reasonable, sturdy condition. Where the frames have brushed against the edge of other whilst being stacked there is some scuffing. The frames show signs of light corrosion, particularly along the lowers parts of their legs.
Their use was very widespread in schools, church halls, meeting and hospitals just before WWII and mass-produced in larger quantities after the war as low-cost bent plywood became available and there was greater availability of steel and iron. Their fabrication was not limited to just PEL. Nest-A-Bye, Remploy, Bamco, Cox, and Remploy also started to make similar curved tubular steel designed chairs with a bent plywood seat and backrest in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

These chairs are not new or made to look old. They will have marks, scratches, show signs of corrosion, historic and recent repairs, which are consistent with their age and original use. We feel these add to their character and appeal. We do not recommend that these chairs are left outside in the rain, wet or damp conditions.