Antique Empire Bench
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Empire Bench
Fabric, Ebony, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Empire Bench
Birch, Mahogany
Early 1800s Italian Empire Antique Empire Bench
Walnut
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Empire Bench
Brass
Mid-19th Century Danish Empire Antique Empire Bench
Fabric, Beech
1820s French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Directoire Antique Empire Bench
Beech
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Iron
19th Century French Antique Empire Bench
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Walnut
19th Century American American Empire Antique Empire Bench
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Empire Antique Empire Bench
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American American Empire Antique Empire Bench
Linen, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Walnut, Upholstery
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century American American Empire Antique Empire Bench
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Mahogany, Fabric, Ebony, Upholstery, Cotton
Mid-19th Century Baltic Empire Antique Empire Bench
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century American American Empire Antique Empire Bench
Upholstery, Rosewood
Early 20th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Gesso, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Antique Empire Bench
Upholstery, Natural Fiber, Giltwood, Leather, Linen
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
1820s French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Mohair
Mid-19th Century British American Empire Antique Empire Bench
Fabric, Mahogany, Hardwood
19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Empire Bench
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Antique Empire Bench
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Upholstery, Wood
1850s French Antique Empire Bench
Iron
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Empire Bench
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Mahogany, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Empire Bench
1840s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Empire Bench
Birch
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Antique Empire Bench
Fabric, Wood, Birch
Early 19th Century Dutch Empire Antique Empire Bench
Cotton, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Empire Bench
Birch
1920s American Antique Empire Bench
Iron
Early 20th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Bronze
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Empire Bench
Upholstery, Mahogany
1810s French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Marble
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Mahogany
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Empire Bench
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Antique Empire Bench
Wool
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Antique Empire Bench
Wool
19th Century Neoclassical Antique Empire Bench
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Empire Bench
Wood, Upholstery
19th Century American American Empire Antique Empire Bench
Mahogany
1860s French Louis XV Antique Empire Bench
Velvet, Wood
19th Century French Antique Empire Bench
Cotton, Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Empire Bench
Gold Leaf
19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Empire Bench
Wood
1910s Antique Empire Bench
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Empire Bench
Birch
Late 19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Empire Bench
Walnut
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Antique Empire Bench For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Empire Bench?
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.