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20th Century Nylon Armchairs

Stendig Architect Series Prague Chairs/ 3 pairs available
By Josef Hoffmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Prague Chairs sold in Pairs. I have always known these to be part of the Architect Series of Prague Chairs produced for Stendig. Nylon replaces the traditional cane. These are al...
Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Bauhaus Armchairs

Materials

Nylon, Wood

Brazilian Modern Armchairs in Hardwood & Fabric, Michel Arnoult, 1960s
By Michel Arnoult
Located in New York, NY
Available today this Brazilian Modern Armchairs made in Hardwood & Fabric desgned by Michel Arnoult, 1960s are nothing less than spectacular! They were designed in the 1960’s and ar...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Nylon, Hardwood

4 Vintage Cleo Baldon Style Daystrom Brass Faux Bamboo Lattice Rattan Armchairs
By Cleo Baldon, Daystrom Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
A set of 4 Hollywood Regency armchairs having faux bamboo brass X-form bases with cane wrapped bamboo lattice backrests and neutral tweed soft cushion seats by Daystrom circa 1985. V...
Category

Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Monofilo Armchair by Grassi, Conti and Forlani for Emilio Paoli, Italy, 1959
By Luciano Grassi
Located in Argelato, BO
Monofilo chairs are very rare handcrafted creations made from the union of nylon and iron, conceived in post-war Florence they amaze for the extraordinary visionary nature of the pro...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Pair of Michel Arnoult Ouro Preto Armchairs, Brazilian Midcentury, 1964
By Michel Arnoult
Located in Whitstable, GB
Armchair "Ouro Preto" Manufactured by Mobília Contemporãnea The Ouro Preto armchair is an important example of Michel Arnoult genius as a designer: Simple, elegant lines, with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Nylon, Imbuia

Set of 4 Alvar Aalto Chairs with Black Straps, Finland, 1960's
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Austin, TX
Set of 4 Model number 45 armchairs, designed in 1947 by Alvar Aalto and manufactured later (1960's?) by Artek. Beech frames and woven black nylon seat and back make a comfortable and...
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Nylon, Beech

Alvar Aalto Armchairs with Black Straps, Finland, 1960's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Austin, TX
Model 45 armchairs, designed in 1947 by Alvar Aalto and manufactured later by Artek. Beech frames and woven black nylon seat and back make a comfortable and sought after combination ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Nylon, Beech

Large French Artist Wrought Iron, Wire & Nylon Sculpture Lounge Chair, Ron Arad
By Ron Arad
Located in New York, NY
2 Rare and visionary large, French, modernist, architectural, armchairs / lounge chairs attributed to the French contemporary artist and sculptor, Gerard Coquelin, circa 1990. The ch...
Category

Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wire, Wrought Iron

Chair "Modus" Tecno Design Ovaldo Borsani Eugenio Gerli, 1970s Rare Version
By Eugenio Gerli, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in taranto, IT
very rare, unique in the world, this original Tecno chair, designed by osvaldo borsani in the 70s probably a prototype that has never entered the market, there is no such trace in...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Chairs

Materials

Metal

Chair Model DU41 by Gastone Rinaldi for RIMA, Italy, 1956
By RIMA, Gastone Rinaldi
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
chair dinning bridge or small armchairs model DU41 by the designer Gastone Rinaldi for the editor RIMA in 1956. Blue lacquered, original painting, great patina, brass feet. Chair ref...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Metal

Modern Square Frame Oak Armchairs with Original Blush Textured Fabric, Set of 4
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful set of four modern square frame, almost a Parsons style, armchairs comprised of oak, their original blush textured fabric, and chrome and nylon adjustable disc shaped feet....
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Gijs Bakker Webbing Chair for Castelijn, 1978
By Gijs Bakker, Castelijn
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic pair of easy chair designed by Gijs Bakker for Castelijn, Holland, 1978. This chair called webbing chair, but soon got the name seatbelt chair as the seats are made of wove...
Category

Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Beech, Nylon

Gijs Bakker Webbing Chair for Castelijn, 1978
Gijs Bakker Webbing Chair for Castelijn, 1978
H 32.68 in W 24.41 in D 25.99 in

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Set of Six Dining Chairs Designed by Warren Platner for Knoll, 20th Century
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Hamburg, PA
An exquisite set of six dining chairs designed by Warren Platner for Knoll. These iconic dining room chairs would look great in any Contemporary, Transitional, or Traditional interio...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Wrought Iron Outdoor Blue Armchairs, Set of 2
Located in London, GB
So rich in history and culture, the fondly recognised region of Provence inspires this classic collection. With sophisticated European undertones, Provence features well-dressed fini...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Industrial Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Wrought Iron Outdoor Blue Armchairs, Set of 2
Wrought Iron Outdoor Blue Armchairs, Set of 2
H 35.83 in W 28.75 in D 31.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Armchair, Le Bambole, Mario Bellini, B&B
By Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Throughout their history, Le Bambole have seen slight adaptations in shapes, proving that they are able to stay in step with the times. In addition to appearance, comfort is a key de...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet

Armchair, Le Bambole, Mario Bellini, B&B
Armchair, Le Bambole, Mario Bellini, B&B
H 35.44 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Klaus Uredat ‘Corbi’ Sofa for COR, Germany – 1969 in New Bouclé Upholstery
By Klaus Uredat, COR
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Rare ‘Corbi’ modular sectional sofa by Klaus Uredat for COR, Germany – circa 1972. The Corbi sofa consists of sections with roll cushions. It can be used as sofa or as lounge chairs...
Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Wool, Bouclé, Cotton

Harry Bertoia for Knoll Outdoor 'Side Chair' in Black Coated Steel
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 'side chair', coated steel, United States, design 1952 This 'side' patio chair is designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952. Executed in black coate...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Steel

Reupholstered ‘Alky’ Lounge Chairs in the Style of Giancarlo Piretti
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chairs, fabric, metal, Italy, 1970s These lounge chairs strongly remind of Giancarlo Piretti’s ‘Alky’ lounge chair (1969), yet they feature characteristic differences. Wherea...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of sculptural large wicker armchairs in rattan 20th century
Located in Leicester, GB
A sculptural pair of 20th-century wicker armchairs in rattan. The vintage chairs have gorgeous large open armrests beautifully woven. The wicker armchairs are made with an attractive...
Category

20th Century British Bohemian Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Rattan

Handsome Pair of Vintage Rattan Cabinets Night Stands
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome slightly different pair of rattan wicker cabinet night stands each with single drawer and door revealing storage within. One cabinet is slightly smaller measuring 15.25 w 1...
Category

Vintage 1970s Philippine Organic Modern Night Stands

Materials

Rattan

Caned Dining Table by Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-cal in Iron and Rattan, c 1960s
By Danny Ho Fong, Tropi-cal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This lovely California Modern low dining table by Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-cal features an iron frame that holds a woven cane rattan top, along with a glass pane to use as a solid sur...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Iron

Handsome Pair Cy Mann Chrome Cube Lounge Chairs Mid-Century Modern
By Milo Baughman, Cy Mann
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome pair of Cy Mann chrome lounge cube chairs. These chairs are often misattributed to Milo Baughman but both are brilliant mid-century designers! This pair retains their origin...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern White Castiron Homecrest Wire Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Homecrest
Located in Esperance, NY
Great set of original homecrest wire chairs, the chairs are made out of CastIron and come with two cushions.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Andrew Delfino for McGuire Rattan and Leather Armchairs or Dining Chairs, a Pair
By McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A pair of vintage McGuire rattan and leather arm chairs or dining chairs, featuring Craftsman details. The chairs were designed by Andrew Delfino and have a rich dark tobacco finish ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Bamboo, Rattan

Set of Three Midcentury Scandinavian Rattan Pendants, 1960s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Set of three midcentury rattan pendants, Denmark, 1960s. These beautiful suspension lamps are handcrafted in rattan, lamp shade design with wood canopy. Each pendant with single bras...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Mid-19th Century Louis XV Carved Walnut Upholstered Armchair from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study or a bedroom with this elegant antique armchair. Crafted in southern France circa 1860, the comfortable fauteuil sits on cabriole legs decorated with acanthus leaves...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

shelf unit italian national walnut of 1970 made by company mobilia
By Mobilia
Located in Medesano, IT
Step into the 70's with our Italian National Walnut Shelf Unit, crafted by Mobilia Company! A perfect blend of function, style and a dash of nostalgia, it's more than just a piece of...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Recent Sales

Thonet Armchair by Josef Frank, Austria, circa 1930
By Thonet, Frank Josef
Located in Zbiroh, CZ
Thonet armchair designed by Josef Frank in 1930s. Skelet made from beechwood, seat and backrest made from nylon string - not original. Bended beechwood is in original, very nice, vin...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Armchairs

Materials

Nylon, Beech

Pair of Knoll Studio RED Wassily Chairs, Model B3
By Knoll
Located in Canaan, CT
Pair of Wassily chairs in RED offer a nice flip to the usual black or brown leather you typically see. they are lightly used and in very good condition. frames are excellent conditi...
Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Robsjohn-Gibbings Chairs
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Harbor Springs, MI
Pair of Walnut Chairs by T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings for John Widdicomb, circa 1950. New webbing and upholstery. Fabric by Dedar-Mindanao. 100 percent poliamide/nylon.
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Armchairs

Materials

Nylon

Pair of Robsjohn-Gibbings Chairs
Pair of Robsjohn-Gibbings Chairs
H 34 in W 21 in D 24 in
Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia UP5 Black Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Restored, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Milano, IT
First designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for a few years before being discontinued, the lounge chair and pouf UP5, also known as Big Mama, Blow Up and Donna, was reissued in 2000 by B...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Jute, Nylon

Vintage Bentwood Armchair by Joseph Hoffmann for Stendig
By Stendig Co., Josef Hoffmann
Located in Dorchester, MA
This Classic bentwood armchair, designed in 1925 by Josef Hoffmann in collaboration with Josef Frank and manufactured in the 1950s by Stendig, features a warm beechwood frame and a r...
Category

Vintage 1950s Czech Bauhaus Armchairs

Materials

Nylon, Bentwood

Pair of Vintage Bentwood Armchairs by Joseph Hoffmann for Stendig
By Josef Hoffmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Dorchester, MA
These Classic bentwood armchairs, designed in 1925 by Josef Hoffmann in collaboration with Josef Frank and manufactured in the 1950s by Stendig, feature beechwood frames and rare han...
Category

Vintage 1950s Czech Bauhaus Armchairs

Materials

Nylon, Bentwood

Vintage Jens Risom Armchair for Knoll
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage armchair with an ebony finished frame and matching black nylon straps. Designed by Jens Risom in 1943 for Knoll International using inexpensive wartime materials.
Category

Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs

Materials

Nylon, Maple

Set of Gaetano Pesce's Nobody's Royal Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Pasadena, TX
A set of Gaetano Pesce furniture consisting of a Nobody's Royal King armchair, a Nobody's Royal Queen armchair, and a Nobody's Pouf ottoman. Made by Zerodisegno. Each piece is uni...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Nylon, Resin

Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia UP5 Black Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Restored, 1970s
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Milano, IT
First designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for a few years before being discontinued, the lounge chair and pouf UP5, also known as Big Mama, Blow Up and Donna, was reissued in 2000 by B...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Jute, Nylon

Pair of Kontour Armchairs in Nylon by Alf Svensson, Germany, circa 1950
By Alf Svensson
Located in Culver City, CA
Pair of Kontour Armchairs in Reupholstered Nylon by Alf Svensson, circa 1950 Tall-back modern forms with the ability to recline. Newly upholstered in Maharam Lithe nylon in Blazer...
Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Nylon

Pair of Jean Gillon 'Jangada' Brazilian Armchairs and Ottomans
By Jean Gillon
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Gillon, 'Jangada' pair of armchairs and ottomans, rosewood, nylon rope, leather, Brazil, 1968. These robust and hefty armchairs are designed by Jean Gillon. The originality o...
Category

Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Nylon, Wood

Josef Hoffman Prague 811 Armchairs by Stendig
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Josef Hoffman Prague 811 chairs by Stendig from the 1960s with hand tied nylon "caning" all original and in excellent condition. Chairs have both Stendig paper label and made in Czec...
Category

Vintage 1920s Czech Bauhaus Chairs

Materials

Nylon, Birch

Hans Olsen Easy Chair Pair for Vatne Mobler, Denmark, 1960
By Vatne Møbler, Hans Olsen
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Pair of easy chairs designed by Hans Olsen, manufactured by Vatne Mobler, Denmark 1960. These chairs have solid rosewood frames and leather cushions. The cushions are newly colored i...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Nylon, Rosewood

Pair of Walter Lamb Arm Lounge Chairs Rare Thick Tube
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a pair of Walter Lamb lounge armchairs, constructed with thick tubing. Chairs have the original vintage patina and have signs of wear. New black satin ro...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Set of Six Eames Dax Herman Miller Dining Armchairs
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in London, Greater London
A group of six fibreglass DAX armchairs in varying colors designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1948 and produced in 1950 by Herman Miller. Shells are in very good or excellent or...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Near Mint Herman Miller Eames Seafoam Green DAR Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Herman Miller Eames Seafoam Green fiberglass DAR chair. Eiffel base with original glides. Original mounts and screws. Round medallion label. 1950s shell with incredibly high fiber co...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Russell Spanner "Ruspan" Chair, 1950s
By Russell Spanner
Located in Washington, DC
Original Russell Spanner "Ruspan" chair. Chair is in excellent original condition with all original hardware. Nylon strapping has been replaced.
Category

Vintage 1950s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Nylon, Birch

Russell Spanner "Ruspan" Chair, 1950s
Russell Spanner "Ruspan" Chair, 1950s
H 29.5 in W 22 in D 20 in
Set of Six Walter Lamb Armchairs
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Danville, CA
Set of six bronze armchairs with nylon flagline seats and backrests by Walter Lamb. This set has the nylon cord option rather than the cotton, which can be cleaned and treated to mi...
Category

Vintage 1960s British Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Set of Six Walter Lamb Armchairs
Set of Six Walter Lamb Armchairs
H 32 in W 21.5 in D 24 in
Three Piece Set Of Gaetano Pesce Furniture
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Pasadena, TX
A matching set of Gaetano Pesce furniture consisting of a Nobody's Royal King armchair, a Nobody's Royal Queen armchair, and a Nobody's Pouf ottoman. Made by Zerodisegno. Each piec...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Nylon, Resin

Three Piece Set Of Gaetano Pesce Furniture
Three Piece Set Of Gaetano Pesce Furniture
H 43.5 in W 35.5 in L 43.5 in
String Chair by Conti Forlani and Grassi for Paoli, Designed in 1962
By Sergio Conti
Located in Paris, FR
A sculpture armchair called "string chair – P8a," by Luciano Grassi, Sergio Conti, Marisa Forlani, Edit.F. Paoli, Italia, designed in 1962. Rotating black lacquered steel tubular st...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Eames Arm Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A matching pair of Eames arm chairs upholstered in a Carmel / taupe tone naugahyde with gringe fiberglass backs sitting on aluminum star bases with nylon foot pads . Manufactured by ...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Eames Arm Chairs
Eames Arm Chairs
H 32 in W 24.5 in D 23 in
Eames Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of Eames swiveling arm shell chairs,white backs and upholstered in a pumpkin colored naugahyde sitting on aluminum star bases with nylon foot pads. Manufactured by the Herman ...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Eames Chairs
Eames Chairs
H 32 in W 24.5 in D 23 in
Eames Armshell with Alexander Girard Fabric and La Fonda Base
By Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
This uncommon white fiberglass armchair is very striking with it's black polynit fabric upholstery designed by Alexander Girard and La Fonda base. In very good original condition, th...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Eames Aluminum Group Armchairs in Girard Fabric by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
June 17th marks the 107th anniversary of Charles Eames birth. In celebration, this month we will be featuring some great examples of designs by Charles and his wife Ray. Please cli...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Impressive "Triennale" Armchairs by Ammannati and Vitelli for Rossi di Albizzate
By Giampiero Vitelli, Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Milan, IT
Rare pair of "Triennale" armchairs by Titina Ammannati and Giampiero Vitelli for Rossi di Albizzate. White lacquered plywood frame with beautiful craquele surface Nylon elements lo...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Nylon

Mid-century Modern Brown Jordan Patio Chairs (pair)
Located in Madison, WI
Mid-century Modern Brown Jordan patio chairs (pair) in black and white nylon webbing on original white paint, steel frames.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Paul McCobb faceted form chairs with spider bases
By Paul McCobb
Located in Highland, IN
McCobb's fiberglass chairs features angular lines that earned them the nickname "Origami" chairs and makes them stand out as an interesting contrast to the organic lines of the Eames...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

Mario Botta Seconda 602 chair for Alias 1979
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mario Botta (born 1943-) iconic late seventies design for Alias.
Hi-tech skeletal metal chair with large black cylindrical rubber back rests. Euclidean and unapologetic class...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Armchairs

Materials

Nylon

Hans Wegner Desk Chair for Getama
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wegner delivers his classic masculine lines and uncomplicated ergonomics. This unusual example is recently quoted by Urquiola with her bold lounge interpretation, see other Modern Ar...
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Lacquer, Latex, Nylon

Hans Wegner Desk Chair for Getama
Hans Wegner Desk Chair for Getama
H 28 in W 22.25 in D 18 in
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20th Century Nylon Armchairs For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of 20th century nylon armchairs is available at 1stDibs. Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Scandinavian Modern 20th century nylon armchairs are consistently popular styles. Many 20th century nylon armchairs are appealing in their simplicity, but Charles and Ray Eames, Josef Hoffmann and Herman Miller produced popular 20th century nylon armchairs that are worth a look.

How Much are 20th Century Nylon Armchairs?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $2,450, while they’re typically $795 on the low end and $26,400 highest priced.

Finding the Right Armchairs for You

Armchairs have run the gamut from prestige to ease and everything in between, and everyone has an antique or vintage armchair that they love.

Long before industrial mass production democratized seating, armchairs conveyed status and power.

In ancient Egypt, the commoners took stools, while in early Greece, ceremonial chairs of carved marble were designated for nobility. But the high-backed early thrones of yore, elevated and ornate, were merely grandiose iterations of today’s armchairs.

Modern-day armchairs, built with functionality and comfort in mind, are now central to tasks throughout your home. Formal dining armchairs support your guests at a table for a cheery feast, a good drafting chair with a deep seat is parked in front of an easel where you create art and, elsewhere, an ergonomic wonder of sorts positions you at the desk for your 9 to 5.

When placed under just the right lamp where you can lounge comfortably, both elbows resting on the padded supports on each side of you, an upholstered armchair — or a rattan armchair for your light-suffused sunroom — can be the sanctuary where you’ll read for hours.

If you’re in the mood for company, your velvet chesterfield armchair is a place to relax and be part of the conversation that swirls around you. Maybe the dialogue is about the beloved Papa Bear chair, a mid-century modern masterpiece from Danish carpenter and furniture maker Hans Wegner, and the wingback’s strong association with the concept of cozying up by the fireplace, which we can trace back to its origins in 1600s-era England, when the seat’s distinctive arm protrusions protected the sitter from the heat of the period’s large fireplaces.

If the fireside armchair chat involves spirited comparisons, your companions will likely probe the merits of antique and vintage armchairs such as Queen Anne armchairs, Victorian armchairs or even Louis XVI armchairs, as well as the pros and cons of restoration versus conservation.

Everyone seems to have a favorite armchair and most people will be all too willing to talk about their beloved design. Whether that’s the unique Favela chair by Brazilian sibling furniture designers Fernando and Humberto Campana, who repurposed everyday objects to provocative effect; or Marcel Breuer’s futuristic tubular metal Wassily lounge chair; the functionality-first LC series from Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret; or the Eames lounge chair of the mid-1950s created by Charles and Ray Eames, there is an iconic armchair for everyone and every purpose. Find yours on 1stDibs right now.