Leave it to designer Philippe Starck to find inspiration in the furniture of Versailles when creating a chair for a Chinese restaurant in Paris. The Kong Counter Stool (2002) is hand crafted in Pennsylvania using the same 77-step process that Emeco first developed for its Navy Chair. While the shape of Kong recalls more delicate French designs, the manufacturing of this chair gives it an ability to stand up to even the most unruly of patrons. A proprietary heat treatment makes the aluminum three times stronger than steel, and all Emeco chairs and stools are tested to withstand 1,700 lbs of weight (which is good to know in case that restaurant in Paris is very popular). The Kong Counter Stool is available with two arms or one left arm or one right arm (right and left is from the perspective of the person sitting in the barstool). Made in U.S.A.