Description

This is a set of five 40/4 chairs, initially designed by David Rowland in 1964. The listed price includes all five chairs as shown. This iconic chair has been praised as one of the most ingenious modern designs of the 20th century, and has been credited for being the first truly stackable chair.
These examples are important as they were formerly utilized in Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill’s Chase Manhattan Bank project. They all maintain their original tags. SOM was the firm that originally helped to make the 40/4 chair a viable product. They ordered 17,000 of them for UIC Chicago, which helped Roland and the product thrive afterward.
Each chair has a solid steel sled base, and has a brown plastic seat and back. These examples were manufactured by GF Business Equipment (part of General Fireproofing Co) in the 1970s. Later, the Howe corporation would come to buy the rights to produce the 40/4.

Each chair measures 21 inches deep, 19 inches wide, and 30 inches tall. The seat height is 18 inches. These examples show some scratches and scuffs to both the bases and the seats. There are indentations on the metal seats, and there is some patina on the frames. Overall, they remain in good condition. Please see photos.

Authenticity
Authentication

Authenticated

Reviewed on 2026-02-02 12:12:35
Labeled
Details
Designer
David Rowland
Manufacturer
General Fireproofing Co
Design Year
1964
Production Year
1979
Type
Side Chair
Shipping
Inventory
Set in stock
Approximate Lead Time
Shipping Policy
Add to cart and check out for pricing • Rarify arranges professional delivery • Some orders may require a shipping quote • Free shipping not available for international orders • Read full shipping policy →
Size
Height
30 in
Width
19 in
Depth
Length
21 in
Seat Height
18 in
Seat Depth
19 in
Stackable
Diameter
Lifecycle
Made In
USA
Materials
Materials
Steel, Plastic

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