Set of Four Vintage Tolix FT5 Bistro Armchairs

This set of four French metal bistro armchairs dates from the mid-20th century and is very likely the FT5 model by Tolix. Chairs of this period were not necessarily marked, and the construction of these examples closely corresponds to original Tolix standards, from the tubular metal frames and broad central back panels to the riveted slatted seats and stackable form. Each chair combines a garden-green painted frame with a darker seat, while the gently curving arms flow into the rear supports to create a light, graphic silhouette. Relatively lightweight and easy to stack, all four chairs remain solid and stable. The painted surfaces are attractively freckled with rust, with scattered scratches and wear throughout, 

Founded by Xavier Pauchard in 1927, Tolix became one of the defining names in French industrial furniture, known for its durable galvanized metal seating designed for cafés, terraces and hospitality settings. Its pieces combined practical construction with a distinctive economy of line, and their stackable forms made them particularly well suited to frequent everyday use.

As a set of four, the chairs have a particularly cohesive presence around a small garden or terrace table, while the deep green frames and darker seats give them a strong, understated character. Their compact proportions and stackable construction also make them especially useful where outdoor seating needs to be moved or stored easily. They would work equally well indoors, where their graphic metal frames and weathered green finish could bring an informal, industrial note around a kitchen or dining table.

Width between the armrests: 18.1" (46 cm)