The sturdy and sleek furniture designed by Tolix has become a standard of trendy cafés and retro diners. For nearly a century, the French company has become synonymous with café culture in France and beyond.
In 1908, Xavier Pauchard, nicknamed Mr. X, founded Tolix in Burgundy, France. A zinc roofer by trade, Pauchard focused on making household items from sheet metal and using zinc to galvanize his products. Clean-lined and practical, Tolix’s metal furniture marked an early expression of mid-century modern style.
Pauchard designed Tolix’s flagship industrial-style chair, the Chaise A, in the mid-1920s. Also known as the Model A chair, it was designed with small holes in the seat to allow rainwater to drain without sacrificing comfort or durability. In 1934, Pauchard improved the Chaise A with the slimmer, more lightweight Marais A chair. Stackable up to 25 chairs high, it quickly became a favorite among hospitals, schools and factories.
There is debate about whether Joseph Mathieu’s designs influenced Pauchard’s creation of the Multipl, another stacking metal chair from the mid-20th century.
Major museums have exhibited Tolix’s designs, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Vitra Design Museum in Rhein, Germany. In 2006, the brand received the label of Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, a formal acknowledgment from the French Ministry of Economics and Finance of its industrial excellence and mastery.
Due to a shift in design trends, Tolix fell out of favor near the end of the 20th century and filed for bankruptcy. The company rebounded in 2004 under the ownership of its chief financial officer, Chantal Andriot. Strengthened by a high demand for industrial furniture, Tolix is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity, especially in cafés, breweries and restaurants.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Tolix dining chairs, tables, stools and more.
Large White Tupp Barstool by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Large White Tupp barstool by Storängen Design Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 102 x SH 82 cm Materials: birch wood, nickel plated steel. Also available in other colors. Give the ba...
Steel
Large White Tupp Stool by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Large White Tupp stool by Storängen Design Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 82 cm Materials: birch wood, nickel plated steel. Also available in other colors and with backrest. Give ...
Steel
White Gravatá Counter Stool by Wentz
By Guilherme Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
White Gravatá Counter Stool by Wentz Dimensions: D 52 x W 47 x H 90 cm Materials: Tauari Wood, Cane/Upholstery. Weight: 4,4kg / 9,7 lbs The Gravatá series synthesizes our vision reg...
Upholstery, Wood
White Tupp Barstool by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
White Tupp barstool by Storängen Design Dimensions: D 41 x W 41 x H 85 x SH 65 cm Materials: birch wood, nickel plated steel. Also available in other colors. Give the bar some ...
Steel
White Tupp Stool by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
White Tupp stool by Storängen Design Dimensions: D 41 x W 41 x H 65 cm Materials: birch wood, nickel plated steel. Also available in other colors a...
Steel
French Provincial White Counter Stool
Located in Westwood, NJ
A perfect blend of traditional charm and modern functionality. This counter stool features a solid wooden frame with a lightly distressed architectural white painted finish, ensuring...
Wood
White Gravatá Bar Stool by Wentz
By Guilherme Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
White Gravatá Bar Stool by Wentz Dimensions: D 52 x W 47 x H 100 cm Materials: Tauari Wood, Cane/Upholstery. Weight: 4,4kg / 9,7 lbs The Gravatá series synthesizes our vision regard...
Upholstery, Wood
Roberts Bar Stool Maple White
Located in Cincinnati, US
This sleek stool has a thin carved wooden seat that rests on a steel tubing base. The elegant seat is curved for seamless comfort while displaying a stunning intersecting diagonal ac...
Steel
Pebble Bar Stool Large Oiled Ash Pure White by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble bar stool large oiled ash pure white by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 38 x H 76 cm Material: Oiled solid ash, smoked solid oak, black noir powder coated steel, Pure white powder...
Steel
White Loop Stool by Sebastian Scherer
By Sebastian Scherer
Located in Geneve, CH
White Loop stool by Sebastian Scherer Dimensions: D38 x W38 x H44 cm Material: Aluminium Weight 3.5 kg Also available in wood. Also available in colours: ocean blue, silk grey, ...
Aluminum
