Tolix Chair

The Tolix Chair (Model A) was designed by Xavier Pauchard in 1934 in Autun, France, using his patented process for galvanizing sheet steel. Originally created for industrial and outdoor use—cafes, factories, and hospitals—the chair's robust steel construction, stackable form, and simple aesthetic made it a practical workhorse. Its galvanized finish provided weather resistance long before outdoor furniture was a design category. The Tolix factory continues to produce the chair in Autun using largely the same methods. The Tolix Chair's journey from industrial utility to design icon illustrates how honest, functional objects can transcend their origins. Its raw steel aesthetic became a cornerstone of the industrial design trend that swept restaurants, loft apartments, and kitchens from the 2000s onward. The chair's stacking ability (up to twenty high), light weight, and indestructible character make it supremely practical, while its clean proportions and metallic surfaces add visual interest to any setting. Available in numerous powder-coated colors and finishes, the Tolix Chair has become one of the most ubiquitous and beloved chairs in contemporary dining and hospitality design.