Questions & Answers
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Why is it called a Mamasan chair?
1 Answer
A double-seated oval-shaped chair is called a Mamasan chair due to its history. It all started with the Papasan chair, first created in the Philippines. The word Papasan comes from the English nickname for a father, papa, and the Japanese honorific "-san." During the 1950s, American soldiers brought these round chairs home and introduced a new trend. When people began wanting a double-wide version of the chair, manufacturers answered the call and introduced the Mamasan. The choice of the name "mama"-san was meant to be a playful complement to the Papasan. Find a large collection of chairs on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
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Shop for Chairs on 1stDibs
Swiss Alpine Folk Art Carved and Pierced Wooden Escabelle Chair 1820c
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Swiss Alpine escabelle chair dating from circa 1820. Made of wood, the chair features a finely pierced and carved backrest with geometric and heart-shaped openwork decoration.
The c...
Category
Antique 1820s Swiss Chairs
Materials
Wood
An ART-DECO NEOCLASSIC CHAIR in style of J.E. RUHLMANN, France 1930
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant, sensual and generous chair, or side chair, Art Deco, Modernist, Neo-Classical, Shabby-Chic, beautiful massive mahogany structures with refined curves, thick comfortable s...
Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
French Mid-Century Brutalist Fireside Chair, Christian Durupt Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid wood fireside chair in the style of Christian Durupt, France, circa 1950. The hexagonal seat, faceted at its perimeter, sits atop four outward-splaying tapered legs. A tall pla...
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Swivel Lounge Chair – Cafe Noir Linen
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This mid-century modern swivel chair combines iconic retro styling with irresistible comfort. Wrapped in a linen fabric, it offers a soft, cozy texture that invites you to sink in an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Linen
$1,890 / item
Set of Eight Mid Century Modern Bumerang Chairs, Rust Velvet, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
The “Bumerang Chair” is a characteristic piece of furniture from the Polish People’s Republic (PRL) era. Its name comes from the distinctive shape of the backrest, resembling a boome...
Category
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Textile, Wool, Beech
2 John Risley 1960s Sculptural Welded Steel Mr. & Mrs Figural Peoples Chairs MCM
By John Risley
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of Iconic John Risley anthropomorphic chairs, part of a series created by John Risley in the 1960s, known as the People chairs. These brutalist style chairs are constructed fr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Iron
$5,950 Sale Price
30% Off