Carved Dog Head Chair
Early 20th Century English Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique 1880s French Empire Side Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Antique 1860s English Gothic Revival Armchairs
Oak
Vintage 1920s French Egyptian Revival Benches
Walnut
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Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Benches
Enamel, Iron
Antique 1730s French Louis XVI Chaise Longues
Oak
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Early 20th Century English Slipper Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century British Empire Chairs
Leather, Cane, Beech
Mid-20th Century North American Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs
Cherry
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
Plywood
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Oak, Velvet
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Mohair
Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Wood
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Antique 18th Century Italian Baroque Armchairs
Oak
Vintage 1980s Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Damask, Satin
Antique Early 1800s English Jacobean Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Antique 1870s American Victorian Armchairs
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century European Baroque Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Oak, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Rosewood
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Elm
Antique 16th Century Italian Renaissance Animal Sculptures
Stone
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Paintings
Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Vintage 1940s French Dining Room Tables
Wrought Iron
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Lounge Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century European Armchairs
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Norwegian Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Rosewood
Antique 1870s Chinese Qing Furniture
Elm
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Edwardian Bergere Chairs
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
Read More
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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.