Sandows Chair N°212

René Herbst designed his first Sandows chair in 1927, and Petite Friture notes that the Chair N°212 is held in the collections of the Centre Pompidou, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and MoMA.

Herbst co-founded the Union des Artistes Modernes with Charlotte Perriand and Robert Mallet-Stevens in 1929 and was known as “the man of steel.” His idea: a chromed tubular steel frame strung with sandows, the French name for the elastic cords of an exercise expander, so the seat and back give with the body instead of resisting it. Petite Friture holds the exclusive rights to the reissue, made from Herbst's archives with his heirs' approval, and builds it in Italy. Each chair carries a brushed steel plate with Herbst's signature.

Materials

Chromed tubular steel frame; rubber cords (sandows) sheathed in polyester

Dimensions

18.5 in wide x 19.5 in deep x 32.7 in high (47 x 49.5 x 83 cm); seat height 18.3 in (46.5 cm); 15.4 lbs (7 kg); sold individually

Designer

René Herbst, 1927; reissued by Petite Friture, 2026

Made in

Italy

Colors

Chrome with black sandows

Care

Indoor use only; gently wipe clean with a clean, dry cloth

Warranty

2 years

Common Questions

Can the Sandows Chair go outdoors?
No. Petite Friture rates the whole Sandows collection for indoor use only. The chromed steel and fabric-sheathed rubber cords are made for dining rooms and kitchens, and a clean, dry cloth is all the care they need.

Is it comfortable without a cushion?
The cords do the cushioning. They give under your weight and follow the shape of your back, which is the point of Herbst's design, and the seat sits at a standard 18.3 in dining height.

How long does delivery take?
Plan on 8–12 weeks. Sandows is a special order we don't hold in our US warehouse, so we order your chair from Petite Friture and reach out to confirm the ship date.