1800s Settees
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Settees
Wool, Linen, Wood
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Settees
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Primitive Settees
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Tapestry, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Settees
Birch, Fruitwood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Settees
Wood, Silk
Antique 19th Century French Directoire Settees
Brass
Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Settees
Walnut
Antique 1880s French Victorian Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 1890s Swiss Black Forest Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1930s German Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique 19th Century American American Colonial Benches
Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Other Sofas
Cherry
Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Benches
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Canapes
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century English Georgian Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Velvet, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Living Room Sets
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Living Room Sets
Ormolu
Antique 1890s American Rustic Living Room Sets
Horn, Cowhide, Leather
Antique 1850s American Empire Revival Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Brazilian Country Living Room Sets
Walnut
Antique 1890s Swiss Black Forest Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Sofas
Velvet, Wood
People Also Browsed
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Mohair, Silk, Giltwood, Wood
Antique 18th Century French Daybeds
Wood
Antique 1860s French Louis XV Settees
Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Upholstery, Giltwood
Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Sofas
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Panelling
Wood, Pine
19th Century Realist Portrait Paintings
Oil, Panel
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Early 2000s Old Masters Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique 19th Century American Louis XV Settees
Metal
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Beech
Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Antique 1890s French Sofas
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Silk, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antiquities
Wood
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Settees
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Other Settees
Giltwood, Cotton
Antique Mid-19th Century English Settees
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Living Room Sets
Brass
Antique 1850s French Louis XV Pillows and Throws
Textile, Velvet, Down
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Settees
Antique 19th Century English George III Settees
Fabric, Textile, Silk, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
Antique 19th Century French Restauration Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Adirondack Settees
Birdseye Maple, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Metal
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Settees
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Antique 19th Century French Rococo Settees
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Settees
Bouclé, Oak
Antique 19th Century American Louis XVI Settees
Antique 19th Century British George II Settees
Mahogany
Antique 1880s French Settees
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Antique 19th Century British Regency Settees
Silk, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Settees
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Damask, Oak
Antique 19th Century English Other Settees
Metal
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Settees
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Antique 19th Century Swedish Settees
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Walnut
Antique 19th Century North American American Classical Daybeds
Birdseye Maple
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century North American American Colonial Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Paint, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Daybeds
Silk, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Chinese Furniture
Elm
Antique 19th Century French Régence Canapes
Cane, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Center Tables
Marble
Antique 19th Century Patio and Garden Furniture
Antique 19th Century Italian Pillows and Throws
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Living Room Sets
20th Century American Sofas
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Craftsman Benches
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Daybeds
Textile, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Colonial Benches
Maple
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Other Settees
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Linen, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Indonesian Settees
Teak, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Eastlake Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Settees
Bentwood
1800s Settees For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are 1800s Settees?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022In the 1800s, miniatures were small portraits. People commissioned them to give as gifts to their loved ones to carry with them. In this way, miniatures were similar to modern wallet photographs. On 1stDibs, find a range of miniature portraits.
- Were there safes in the 1800s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023Yes, there were safes in the 1800s. Historical records indicate that by 1820, some companies used safes to protect goods from fire. Following market campaigns in the 1840s, more companies and individuals began to purchase safes as an anti-theft measure. Shop a variety of safes on 1stDibs.
- What is a borne settee?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A borne settee is a circular, upholstered Victorian ottoman-style sofa with three or four seat divisions. It provides a backrest in its central cone element and has also been referred to as a “conversation seat.” Borne settees are frequently situated in hotel lobbies and galleries. On 1stDibs, find a range of antique and vintage settees.
- Who named the settee?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The first person who called a settee a settee is unknown. Historians have traced the name back to the Middle Ages when the furniture first came into production. Settee comes from the Old English word “setl,” which described a long wooden bench. On 1st 1stDibs, find a selection of antique settees.
- What is a settee used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A settee is a padded seat with a back and armrests (which are often cushioned) that may accommodate two or more people sitting or reclining. Settees aren’t as wide as couches or sofas. A settee is more intimate and offers more sitting room than an armchair. On 1stDibs, find a range of antique and vintage settees.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, pocket watches peaked in popularity in the 1800s. The first pocket watch was created in Germany in 1510, but was originally too large for a pocket. In the 1600s, the design began to get more compact, but for a long time pocket watches were a rarity and a symbol of wealth. Shop an array of antique pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023In the 1800s, safes were usually made of metal like tin plating or sheet iron. Fireproofing the safes proved difficult, and during the 1820s, specific mixtures of materials such as mica, potash lye and alum were used to line a safe’s interior in order to prevent its contents from succumbing to fire damage. Shop a collection of safes on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The difference between a sofa and a settee is largely a matter of personal opinion. Technically, the two words refer to the same thing. However, settee is no longer a commonly used term. As a result, some people call antique couches “settees,” and newer examples of the furniture “sofas.” On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique and vintage sofas and settees.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023In the 1800s, nightstands were often called commodes. Prior to the advent of indoor plumbing, early nightstands contained a porcelain chamber pot in a cabinet that provided a convenient and private alternative to visiting the outhouse. Today, antique, new and vintage nightstands, which are pieces of bedroom furniture that are often called bedside tables, are typically low-profile tables that are positioned alongside one’s bed or elsewhere in a bedroom. Shop a selection of nightstands on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023During the 1800s, necklaces, earrings, brooches and hair accessories were popular jewelry pieces in styles ranging from Georgian with enamel details to Victorian with floral flourishes. The commonly used gemstones of the 19th century included diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, garnets and amethysts. Gold was the dominant metal for jewelry, but silver became sought-after during the 1880s and 1890s. Explore an assortment of antique jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023What wedding rings looked like in the 1800s was similar to other Victorian jewelry. The Victorian era spanned from 1837 to 1901, coinciding with the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom. At the beginning of this period, rings were made of gold and affordable only to the wealthy. Designs for Victorian-era rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal. Some featured stones secured by collets, settings similar to bezels, with prongs and a closed back. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Victorian wedding rings.
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