Why Are Tolix A Chairs So Popular and What’s Their History

You probably recognise Tolix A chairs because of the simple fact that they can be found in cafes, bars, and restaurants in most European cities. Many people regard them as modern furniture so it often comes as a surprise to learn that they were created back in 1934. Who would have guessed back then that they would still be immensely popular 87 years later! But why are Tolix A chairs so popular and what’s the story behind them?

The history of Tolix

The story begins in 1880 with the birth of Xavier Pauchard in Morvan, a small French village. While the village was more renowned for its wood, Xavier came from a generation of zinc roofers.

By 1907 Xavier had begun working with sheet metal and discovered that dipping it into molten zinc protected it from corrosion. He began making household items from steel and eventually set up a factory and registered his trademark symbol ‘Tolix’ which still exists today.

The classic Tolix chair was designed in 1934 and was intended for outdoor use which explains the holes in the seat that were there to let the rain drain through to prevent puddling. However, complaints that the chair didn’t stack properly forced Pauchard to tweak his design. By 1956, Tolix A chairs as they became known were created with a slimmer frame and the potential to be stacked up to 25 chairs high.

A star is born

Tolix A chairs took France by storm and could be found in cafes everywhere. They were even given away by breweries to those cafes stocking a particular beer. These iconic chairs were also widely used in hospitals, schools, and factories because of their strength and durability. In 2006, this iconic chair was also exhibited in the Georges Pompidou Centre – a star was born.

But why are Tolix A chairs so popular?

Ultimately, the popularity of this classic Tolix chair was due to what can only be described as a good design that ticked all the boxes in terms of performance and function. Manufactured from single sheets of metal they were easier to maintain than wood and had the potential to last far longer. With its timeless design, the Tolix A chair will never go out of fashion and that is why it is so popular.

Buy Replica Tolix A chairs

While Tolix chairs are still being manufactured today, they are likely to set you back over AU$370 which might not be so bad if you only want one or two but if you need sufficient for your cafe, then that’s a significant investment.

The good news is that at Cafe Furniture Melbourne we stock replica Tolix A chairs which are manufactured in the same way as the original and cost a fraction of the price. They come in many different colours from vibrant yellow, red, orange and green through to metallic shades of silver and copper as well as black and white. Why not browse our online store or even better visit our Melbourne showroom to try them out for yourself.