Adams Side Chair
Vintage 1920s English Adam Style Chairs
Cane, Walnut
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Side Chairs
Wood
2010s Philippine Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 18th Century English Chairs
Late 19th Century Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Charcoal, Watercolor
2010s Contemporary Landscape Photography
Archival Pigment
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Early 2000s Dutch Vases
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Floor Lamps
Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Walnut
2010s American Regency Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Center Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1950s English Regency Revival Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s Greek Night Stands
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs
Velvet
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century English Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s English Regency Revival Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Birch
Antique 1760s English George III Dining Room Chairs
Elm, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Fabric, Giltwood
Recent Sales
20th Century English Chairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Side Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century American Side Chairs
Late 20th Century Italian Regency Side Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Adam Style Club Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Living Room Sets
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 1770s English Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Desks
Satinwood
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Dry Bars
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Sofas
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Armchairs
Beech, Gesso
2010s Contemporary Abstract Photography
Archival Pigment
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs
Paint, Wood
2010s American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
2010s American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
2010s Philippine Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Federal Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Federal End Tables
Mahogany
Antique 1750s English Regency Side Chairs
Fruitwood
Vintage 1940s American Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1930s American Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British George I Corner Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Beech
Early 20th Century English Windsor Chairs
Ash, Beech
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 ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The difference between a side chair and a Parsons chair is style. A side chair is a very commonly used dining chair. The form of a side chair may vary, but the constant is the lack of armrests to keep hands free for eating and to save space at the table. A Parsons chair is a type of side chair that features upholstery on the seat and back. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
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