Low Back Vanity Chair
20th Century French Louis XV Benches
Silver
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
Brass, Bronze, Steel
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Chairs
Cane, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Hardwood, Elm
2010s British Modern Stools
Hardwood, Ash, Maple, Oak, Walnut
2010s British Modern Stools
Hardwood, Ash, Maple, Oak, Walnut
2010s British Minimalist Stools
Hardwood, Ash, Maple, Oak, Walnut
2010s British Modern Stools
Hardwood, Ash, Maple, Oak, Walnut
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2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
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21st Century and Contemporary American Wall Lights and Sconces
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2010s Mexican Brutalist Dining Room Tables
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21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Carts and Bar Carts
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2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs
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21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Organic Modern Table Lamps
Linen, Wood
20th Century American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Burl, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Benches
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2010s Colombian Wall Mirrors
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Antique 19th Century French Empire Beds and Bed Frames
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2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
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2010s Brazilian Modern Armchairs
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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers an...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
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Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Chairs
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Vintage 1960s American Swivel Chairs
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Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Chairs
Giltwood, Upholstery, Cane
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Chairs
Giltwood, Cane
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Lucite
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Walnut, Suede
20th Century American Art Deco Stools
Vintage 1940s Italian Chairs
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Hardwood
Vintage 1940s French Side Chairs
Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Fabric, Rattan, Maple
Vintage 1940s American Swivel Chairs
Vintage 1940s American Neoclassical Revival Stools
Wood, Mohair
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Stools
Wood, Mohair
Vintage 1940s American Neoclassical Revival Stools
Wood, Mohair
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Mohair, Wood
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Birch
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Swivel Chairs
Upholstery, Giltwood
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Velvet, Lucite
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Steel
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Birch
Mid-20th Century Side Chairs
Shagreen
Vintage 1930s Danish Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
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.
- What is a low back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A low-back chair is designed to provide lumbar support to the lower back and mid-back. These chairs have a small backrest that reaches till the middle of one's back. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary low back chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
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