English Striped Armchair
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century Victorian Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Wood
20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s English Armchairs
Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century Dutch Other Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Georgian Wingback Chairs
Brass
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Early 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Vintage 1910s English William IV Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Danish Armchairs
Teak
Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Armchairs
Velvet, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Teak
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Antique 19th Century American Renaissance Revival Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American Rustic Armchairs
Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Aluminum
Early 20th Century American Chairs
Fabric, Linen
Vintage 1950s American Club Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century Brazilian Rustic Lounge Chairs
Cane, Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wool, Beech
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century English Regency Armchairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Wingback Chairs
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Revival Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Antique 1880s English Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Armchairs
Beech
Early 20th Century English Armchairs
Silk, Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Armchairs
Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Silk, Wood
Antique 1780s English George III Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century English Georgian Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Walnut, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Fruitwood, Linen, Wood
Vintage 1930s William IV Chairs
Velvet, Wood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Lounge Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Armchairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century English William IV Lounge Chairs
20th Century British Living Room Sets
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 1790s English George III Armchairs
Oak
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
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.
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.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.