Appearing as if it were a three-dimensional brushstroke of paint, the S-shaped Panton chair is just one curved piece of plastic that cantilevers over itself to form a seat. Prior to its development by experimental Danish designer Verner Panton (1926–98), no chair had ever been crafted from a single piece of molded plastic.
“I want to design furniture that grows up out of the floor,” Panton said of his work. “To turn the furniture into something organic, which never has four legs.” The designer, who studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen before working for Arne Jacobsen’s architecture firm, started experimenting with the concept of single-piece plastic chairs in the late 1950s, drafting sketches of what eventually became his signature eponymous work before creating a full-scale polystyrene model. But he ran into production trouble — no manufacturer would tackle the chair’s challenging engineering problems. Plastic was still a relatively new invention at the time, having been introduced to mass markets in the postwar era when most furniture makers still preferred to work in wood.
Enter Swiss furniture company Vitra, which agreed to take on the project in 1963.
It took four years — and ten prototypes — but Vitra and Panton were ultimately successful, creating a Panton chair made from fiberglass-reinforced polyester. It debuted in Danish design magazine Mobilia in 1967 and then at the 1968 Cologne Furniture Fair. The chair embodied a seductive combination of the era’s popular Space Age and Pop art aesthetics through its undulating form, futuristic material and punchy colors, resulting in mass demand for the relatively affordable piece of furniture. While it was discontinued in 1979 due to durability issues, the chair was reintroduced years later and Vitra has continued to manufacture it, experimenting with materials ranging from polyurethane foam to polypropylene in conjunction with Panton throughout the course of his lifetime. For the chair’s 50th anniversary, Vitra produced limited-edition chrome and glow-in-the-dark models.
The chair has become a celebrity in itself: It was featured on the cover of British Vogue in 1995 — with a nude Kate Moss atop it — and in 2006, it was inducted into the Danish Culture Canon. Numerous design museums hold the chair in their collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Design Museum in London and more. As far as chairs go, particularly those designed during the 1960s and 1970s, there are few better known and more beloved than the Panton.
Verner Panton Set of 7 Cantilevered Chairs by Vitra Herman Miller Edition
By Verner Panton, Vitra
Located in Miami, FL
Timeless cantilevered dining chairs designed by Verner Panton in 1959. High-quality design made of fiberglass. Unique, relacquered condition. Our set of 7 Panton cantilevered chair...
Fiberglass
Panton Chair
By Verner Panton
Located in Highland, IN
The Panton chair is an important icon of modern design and has a fascinating history as Verner Panton experimented with a variety of materials to best realize the design. The most co...
Paint, Foam
Set of 4 Verner Panton for Vitra "S" Stackable Chairs (8 available)
By Vitra, Verner Panton
Located in Pasadena, TX
Verner Panton's cantilevered stacking chair (1960) was the first single-material and single-form chair to be made and has been produced by Vitra through three decades of development ...
Fiberglass
Side Chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller - Felhbaum, 1971
By Verner Panton, Herman Miller
Located in Barcelona, ES
Side chair designed by Verner Panton in 1967 for Herman Miller - Fehlbaum production, Germany. This one is stamped in 1971 in black glossy thermoplastic.
Plastic
Set of Six “S” Chairs by Verner Panton for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Verner Panton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic set of six cantilevered “S” chairs designed by Verner Panton for Herman Miller, embodying one of the most recognizable silhouettes in modern design. Formed from molded plas...
Plastic
Set of Four Red Chairs by Verner Panton for Herman Miller/ Fehlbaum, 1970s
By Herman Miller, Verner Panton
Located in Praha, CZ
- iconic model - marked - S chair or Panton chair - very confortable - stackable
Plastic
White Panton Chair by Verner Panton for Vitra with Side Stool
By Vitra, Verner Panton
Located in Pasadena, TX
White Panton chair by Verner Panton for Vitra with Side Stool Captivated by the potential of plastic, Danish designer Verner Panton created the fir...
Plastic
Space Age "Panton Chair" in black plastic by Verner Panton for Vitra, Germany
By Verner Panton
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find the iconic S Chair or Panton Chair, designed by Verner Panton for Vitra. It is celebrated for being the first single-form, injection-molded plastic chai...
Plastic
H 31 in W 18.5 in D 21 in
Original Eames Fiberglass Shell Chairs by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 1960s molded fiberglass side shell chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Gleaming shells are in original condition, each with a distinct thready texture...
Fiberglass
H 31.89 in W 18.12 in D 23.63 in
Panton S, Chairs Vitra by Verner Panton for Herman Miller 1965s
By Verner Panton
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good condition - cleaned.
Laminate
H 31.5 in W 18.51 in D 20.87 in
Dining Chairs DSR by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s, set of 4
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 4 midnight blue fiberglass chairs. Stamped Herman Miller (see photo). Eiffels legs. Seat height: 45 cm. Wear due to time and age of chairs.
Metal
H 31.5 in W 18 in D 16 in
Set of Four Eames for Herman Miller Black DKR Wire Chairs on Eiffel Bases
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Ferndale, MI
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DKR wire chairs on Eiffel tower bases. All four chairs have been refinished in a correct tone matte black powder...
Steel
H 32.29 in W 25.6 in D 21.66 in
Armchairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s, set of 6
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 fiberglass chairs in orange color with chrome metal legs. Stamped H by Herman Miller on the bottom. Wear due to time and age of chairs. Seat height:...
Metal
H 35 in W 40.5 in D 24.5 in
Vitra Heart Cone Chair by Verner Panton, Switzerland, 1958
By Vitra, Verner Panton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vitra Heart Cone Chair by Verner Panton, Switzerland, Designed 1958 / Manufactured Circa 2000's 35" h 40.5" w 24.5" d seat: 15.75" h "fabri...
Fabric
H 29 in W 19.5 in D 21 in
Vintage Eames DCWs Dining Chair Wood for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of DCW (Dining Chair Wood) in Ash wood, designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. This iconic mid-century design features molded wood with gracefully curving planes. ...
Ash
H 27.5 in Dm 47.5 in
Verner Panton "Pantonova" Dining Set of Dining Table and Six Chairs
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare Verner Panton Pantonova dining table and chairs, made by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1971. Cognac color leather seat pads. Set includes table, m...
Chrome
H 31.89 in W 19.69 in D 23.63 in
Vintage White Panton Chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller, 1972 Original
Located in Hannover, DE
Original Herman Miller Panton Chair in white. Designed in 1967. Production year: 1972. Only one chair available. Designed by Danish designer Verner Panton, the iconic Panton Chair ...
Plastic
H 32.29 in W 19.69 in D 23.63 in
Gloss White Panton S-Chair by Verner Panton / Herman Miller Fehlbaum Production
By Verner Panton, Herman Miller
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The S-chair by Verner Panton is one of the absolute stars of furniture pop art. This is the original version of the Herman Miller Fehlbaum Production ...
Plastic
H 32.29 in W 22.45 in D 24.41 in
Verner Panton Cone Chair by Vitra, Fuchsia Fabric, Modern Design, 2013
By Verner Panton, Vitra
Located in London, England
Verner Panton flesh cone armchair in fuchsia color. He kept his beautiful original color, Verner Panton began his career as an employee of Arne Jacobsen, being a fan of bright color...
Fabric
H 32.29 in W 19.69 in D 24.41 in
Set of 2 Verner Panton Fibreglass S Chair for Herman Miller, W.Germany 1973
By Verner Panton
Located in London, GB
The Verner Panton fibreglass S chair for Herman Miller, W. Germany 1973 edition. This highly innovative icon of it's time was ground breaking in the process of manufacture and design...
Fiberglass
H 32.29 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
430 Chair in Brown Velvet by Verner Panton
By Verpan, Verner Panton
Located in Horsens, DK
Fully upholstered stacking chair with brass finish metal frame and felt feet. It is the Raf Simons designed fabric, Harald from Kvadrat, c...
Metal
H 33 in W 19.5 in D 22 in
Panton Chair by Herman Miller 1970s
By Herman Miller, Verner Panton
Located in Highland, IN
As much a sculpture as a chair, the iconic Panton chair was the first molded plastic chair and the culmination of several developments by Verner Panton during his search for the idea...
Plastic
H 33.27 in W 16.34 in D 21.66 in
Verner Panton Vilbert Chair, 1993
By Verner Panton, IKEA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful colorful postmodern accent chair "Vilbert" by Verner Panton for Ikea 1993, in blue, purple, green, red and black formica with black edges. The structure follows geometric a...
Formica
H 32.88 in W 19.69 in D 23.63 in
Due 'Panton Chair' rosse di Verner Panton Produzione Herman Miller anni 70
By Herman Miller, Verner Panton
Located in Milano, IT
Coppia di sedie disegnate da Verner Panton per una produzione Herman Miller anni '70 realizzate in materiale plastico rosso, riportano il marchio.
Plastic
H 32.68 in W 21.26 in D 19.3 in
Pair of Orange Panton S Chairs by Verner Panton for Herman Miller/ Fehlbaum 1974
By Herman Miller, Verner Panton
Located in Wien, AT
This pair of orange Panton S Chairs, designed by Verner Panton, was produced in 1974 and represents one of the most iconic seating designs of the twentie...
Plastic
H 32.49 in W 19.69 in D 24.22 in
Four 'Panton Chairs' by Verner Panton for Vitra white 1980s-90s
By Verner Panton
Located in Milano, IT
Set of four chairs designed by Verner Panton for a Vitra production from the 1980s-90s. Made of white plastic material, they bear the brand name.
Plastic
H 32.29 in W 19.3 in D 21.66 in
Set of 6 Panton dining chairs Vitra, 1990s
By Verner Panton, Vitra
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage white labeled Verner Panton dining chairs. These timeless chairs have been a succes eversince their release. These examples are by Vitra from the 1990s and are in very good...
Plastic
H 32.68 in W 18.9 in D 19.69 in
Pair of Panton chairs, Verner Panton for Herman Miller / Felhbaum, Denmark 1970
By Herman Miller, Verner Panton
Located in Torino, IT
Pair of Panton chairs, Verner Panton for Herman Miller / Felhbaum, Denmark 1970
Plastic
H 33.5 in W 19.5 in D 24 in
White Verner Panton S Chair for Vitra, Molded Plastic
By Verner Panton, Vitra
Located in Chicago, IL
Verner Panton S chair. Classic MCM design. Captivated by the potential of plastic, Danish designer Verner Panton created the first single-form injecti...
Plastic
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 24.02 in
Panton chair, Verner Panton for Vitra 1967
By Verner Panton, Vitra
Located in Torino, IT
Panton chair, Verner Panton for Vitra 1967
Plastic
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 24.02 in
Panton Chair for Vitra 1967
By Verner Panton, Vitra
Located in Torino, IT
Panton chair, Verner Panton for Vitra 1967
Plastic
H 32.5 in W 19.5 in D 21.5 in
Pair Verner Panton for Herman Miller Black S-Form Side or Dining Chairs Signed
By Herman Miller, Verner Panton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
By design legend Verner Panton, these striking chairs are a glimpse into the more radical side of Panton's mind. Between other work for Herman Miller and some for other manufacturers like Fritz Hansen, these chairs stand out as the most iconic. The classic S-shape will leave you pleasantly surprised at the comfort and the space your legs have to move about beneath. In classic piano...
Plastic
H 32.5 in W 19.5 in D 21.5 in
Verner Panton for Herman Miller Black S-Form Side or Dining Chair Signed
By Herman Miller, Verner Panton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
By design legend Verner Panton, this striking chair is a glimpse into the more radical side of Panton's mind. Between other work for Herman Miller and some for other manufacturers like Fritz Hansen, this chair stands out as the most iconic. The classic S-shaped chair will leave you pleasantly surprised at the comfort and the space your legs have to move about beneath. In classic piano...
Plastic
H 31.89 in W 19.3 in D 22.05 in
Panton Chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller (2nd Production / 1968)
By Verner Panton, Herman Miller
Located in Wien, AT
Herman Miller Panton Chair produced by Herman Miller / Fehlbaum. This is the first production made of polyurethane hard foam from 1968. Both chairs still have the original lacquer. ...
Foam
H 24.75 in W 14.75 in D 17.5 in
MCM Panton Junior PAIR of Kids Chairs by Verner Panton Vitra, Turquoise + Orange
By Vitra, Verner Panton
Located in Basel, BS
FREE fast shipping. Panton Junior Chairs, Pair-- in Turquoise and Orange-- Rare colors, no longer produced. Verner Panton, 1959/2006 The Panton J...
Plastic
H 32.29 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Set of 8 Chairs by Verner Panton for Herman Miller 1971
By Herman Miller, Verner Panton
Located in Conversano, IT
Exceptional and rare set of 8 "Panton S Chairs" designed by Verner Panton and manufactured by Herman Miller, authentic 1971. These chairs represent a timeless icon in the design worl...
Plastic
H 32.29 in W 19.69 in D 23.63 in
Set 6 chairs Verner Panton from 1970
By Verner Panton, Rolf Fehlbaum
Located in Perpignan, FR
Rare set de 6 chaises Verner Panton datant des années 70. Edition Fehlbaum Couleur violet / rare dans cette teinte. Chaises signées sous l'assise . En tres bon état general . Aucu...
Plastic
H 32.49 in W 18.9 in D 16.93 in
Verner Panton Set of Four Orange Panton Chairs by Herman Miller 1970s
By Verner Panton, Herman Miller
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of four orange Panton chairs entirely made in polypropylene stained mass. Designed by Verner Panton in 1960s and produced by Herman Miller, 1970s. ...
Plastic
A new video from Dezeen anoints them as the period's most significant seating designs.
Of the million-plus items on 1stdibs, some seem to have transcended time, looking as fresh today as when they were first produced. The pieces highlighted on our new Iconic Designs page stand out for longevity, functionality and quality of design and manufacture — just the tonic for the present unsettled moment.
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.
From high-fashion runways to a brand-new book, the groovy, futurist work of this groundbreaking Danish creative is receiving newfound — and much deserved — attention.