Wingback Chairs
2010s Renaissance Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Walnut
Late 20th Century Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1860s English Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Wood, Fabric
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Oak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Elm
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Wingback Chairs
Metal
2010s South African Modern Wingback Chairs
Steel
Early 20th Century Swedish Victorian Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century North American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Straw, Oak
20th Century American Georgian Wingback Chairs
Brass
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Plywood, Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century American Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Textile, Wood
1890s American Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Burlap, Muslin, Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Ash
Early 2000s American Hepplewhite Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
19th Century European Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Steel
1870s Irish Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wool, Oak
1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood, Velvet
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Mohair, Wood
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Cherry
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Brass
1990s American George III Wingback Chairs
Leather
1930s British Georgian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s English Kilim Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Chrome
1980s American Organic Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
1880s English High Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Georgian Wingback Chairs
Linen, Upholstery, Cord, Wood
18th Century English Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century English Kilim Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Straw, Wood
19th Century British Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wrought Iron
1960s American American Colonial Vintage Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
Late 20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather
1970s Philippine Anglo-Indian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Reed
20th Century Country Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Fabric
1910s English William and Mary Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
19th Century French Antique Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Late 20th Century American American Classical Wingback Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Wood
1760s German Baroque Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wrought Iron
2010s Renaissance Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
19th Century Swedish Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut, Upholstery
Antique, New and Vintage Wingback Chairs
They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s.
Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace.
Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spinoffs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair).
Shop the most innovative versions of wingback chairs today on 1stDibs.
Read More
Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair Scrambled the Idea of What a Wingback Could Be
The curvaceous Egg was designed to cradle the body and offer privacy. Later, it became the seat of choice for bosses in movies, too.
23 Ways to Rethink the Classic Wingback Chair
We take a fresh look at a more than 300-year-old fixture in furniture design.