19th Century Barrel Back French Chair
Antique 1880s French Bergere Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Slipper Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Lounge Chairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Lounge Chairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Lounge Chairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century French Folk Art Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Bergere Chairs
Leather, Suede, Cane, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Silk, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Antique 1830s American American Classical Armchairs
Mahogany
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2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Linen, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Books
Paper
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Side Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Giltwood
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Beech
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Stools
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Walnut
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
Antique 1830s English William IV Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
Antique 19th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
20th Century French Louis XV Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
Wood
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Bergere Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Bergere Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Antique Early 19th Century French Art Deco Bergere Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Bergere Chairs
Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1890s French Empire Revival Chairs
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Club Chairs
Antique 19th Century English Wingback Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Antique 19th Century Syrian Chairs
Walnut, Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony
Antique Mid-19th Century French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Linen, Cane
Antique 1820s French Empire Side Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Chairs
Wood, Burlap, Linen, Upholstery
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Velvet, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Antique 1880s French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Linen
Antique Mid-19th Century French Directoire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Directoire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Office Chairs and Desk Ch...
Leather, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Directoire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Oak, Velvet, Elm
Antique Late 19th Century French Directoire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Velvet, Elm, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Antique Late 19th Century Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Charles X Chairs
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Office Chairs and Desk Ch...
Chestnut, Leather, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century European Gustavian Lounge Chairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Wood, Burlap, Muslin
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Walnut, Naugahyde, Cane
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Beech
Antique 19th Century European Gustavian Armchairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Linen, Wood
Antique 19th Century Unknown Armchairs
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Ottomans and Poufs
Antique 19th Century Swedish Armchairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Directoire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Elm, Leather
Antique Mid-19th Century French Directoire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut, Leather
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Office Chairs and Desk Ch...
Walnut, Velvet
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Office Chairs and Desk Ch...
Leather, Elm
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian French Provincial Bergere Chairs
Linen, Silk, Hardwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Wood
19th Century Barrel Back French Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 19th Century Barrel Back French Chair?
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.