This is it.  The iconic Fibreglass Modernica Chair with wooden dowel leg.  There are no pretenders here.

The official name is in fact as follows.  The Case Study® Fibreglass Side Shell Dowel Leg Chair.  There’s also the Case Study® Fibreglass Arm Shell Dowel Leg Chair.

Easily one of the most important and recognisable dining chairs of all time.  Originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the 1950’s.  It was an entry in The Museum of Modern Art’s (MoMA) International Design Competition.

Modernica Chair Fibreglass Shells

For a more comprehensive explanation of the fibreglass technology used in the making of these chairs, please click here.

In the 1950’s, fibreglass was considered an ultra high-tech material.  Importantly, it was both lightweight and heavy duty. Initial development and production came via Zenith Plastics.  Zenith were early pioneers of developing fibreglass for military applications. The bases were also cleverly designed to provide a number of leg options.  Each leg option is available with a variety of seat shells.

Manufacturing

The seat shells were available to purchase in Spring 1950.  They were manufactured and distributed until the mid 1980’s.  In the late nineties, Modernica revived this ‘lost art’ of high pressure, moulded fibreglass.  Modernica creates each shell in their Los Angeles factory, by hand.  Just as they had been developed and manufactured in Southern California over 65 years ago.

Manufacturing takes place using the Modernica one-by-one focus.  They use all of the presses and specialised equipment from the original Zenith manufacturing plant. To ensure total authenticity, the initial shell production was even overseen by two senior members of the original development team.  The guidance from these early 1950s pioneers ensures these Fibreglass Modernica Chair are completely authentic.

PodMarket® offers the iconic fibreglass Modernica chair in both its forms.  Armless (ie: Side Shell) as well as the Arm Shell version.  The under frames are available in the timeless wooden dowel legs in either maple (blonde) or walnut (dark).  The steel bracing is also available in polished chrome or black.   The seat shells are available in over 30 colours.

Every Fibreglass Modernica chair is manufactured in Los Angeles, California.  This is designer furniture that’s beautiful, iconic, incredibly robust and very easy to keep clean.

We pride ourselves on our transparency and honesty, so we’d like to explain our delivery options in this same manner. Find out more about our delivery options.

Delivery method: Client Pick-Up (free); Delivery to Your Door Organised by PodMarket (invoiced separately); Delivery Organised by Client
Lead time: Approximately 8 weeks

* This entire range of fiberglass chairs contain no (PBDE) Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and all have been fire safety tested and approved.
** Simple assembly required.