At first glance I thought these chairs were plastic...they are very light. They have been painted silver and originally they were green as there is green under the cane of the seat, so I took steel wool to one leg where the paint was peeling and I can see a grain in the wood, as shown in photo 6. It is a hardwood, and I have no idea what wood they used in Italy. Made in Italy stamped on the bottom cane seat. Measurements are as follows:  Overall height 35.50", seat height 18" from floor, seat size 15" x 16".  Chairs are structurally sound and so are the seats.  Chairs will need to be shipped to the lower 48 states only through greyhound xpress. Chairs need to be repainted unless you like the color and the chipped paint look.