Balloon Back Arm Chair
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1980s Bohemian Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo, Rattan
Antique 1880s Victorian Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Hepplewhite Club Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Rattan, Foam
Mid-20th Century Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Paint
20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Beech
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Late 20th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 20th Century French Provincial Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Rocking Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique 19th Century Victorian Armchairs
Satinwood, Tapestry
20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century English Anglo-Indian Armchairs
Upholstery, Padouk
Antique Early 1900s Louis XVI Armchairs
Mahogany, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel, Chrome
Late 20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Dining Room Sets
Fabric, Rattan, Glass, Foam
Early 20th Century Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
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20th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Fabric, Leather, Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Wood, Leather
20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Elm, Oak
Late 20th Century Italian Bohemian Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Antique 1860s French Louis XV Armchairs
Wood
Antique 1860s Victorian Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Brass
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1990s Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Rattan
Antique 19th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Antique 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Early 20th Century English George III Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Bohemian Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Side Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1980s Victorian Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s Victorian Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1950s European Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Paint, Wood
20th Century Louis XIV Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Wood
Mid-20th Century European Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Silk, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Revival Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Beech
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Sets
Wrought Iron
Antique Late 19th Century British George II Armchairs
Damask, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Armchairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Lounge Chairs
Brass
Early 2000s Lounge Chairs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century American American Colonial Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Bohemian Armchairs
Bamboo
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs
Wood
Vintage 1970s French Armchairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Armchairs
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Pine, Ash
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Giltwood, Upholstery
Antique Early 1800s American American Classical Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs
20th Century Adirondack Armchairs
Rattan, Leather, Wicker
Antique 19th Century American Armchairs
20th Century French Armchairs
Suede, Leather
Balloon Back Arm Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Balloon Back Arm 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.
- What is a balloon back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A balloon back chair is a specific type of seat that became popular during the Victorian era. It features a curved back that tapers as it travels down to the seat. Many balloon back chairs are armless, and nearly all examples feature upholstered seats. You'll find a range of balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Balloon back chairs were made mostly in the Victorian era, as they were highly popular at this time in the 19th century. It is generally regarded as a classic antique dining room chair. Browse an array of authentic antique balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Balloon back chairs are from the Victorian era, which lasted from the late 1830s to the turn of the 20th century. These chairs get their name from their rounded backrests and narrow waists, which make it seem like their tops have ballooned or grown in size. On 1stDibs, shop a range of balloon back chairs.
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