Balloon Back Side Chair
Antique 19th Century Victorian Side Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Victorian Side Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Side Chairs
Gold Leaf
Antique Mid-18th Century English Queen Anne Side Chairs
Walnut, Burl
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Damask, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Side Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 18th Century American Queen Anne Side Chairs
Brass
20th Century Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique 1710s English Queen Anne Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Side Chairs
Beech, Wool
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Side Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Victorian Slipper Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 1710s European Baroque Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Victorian Slipper Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Early 1900s English Late Victorian Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Antique 1880s Victorian Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
2010s American American Classical Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Edwardian Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1980s Bohemian Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Paint
Vintage 1980s Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1790s American Hepplewhite Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Paint
Antique 1830s Belgian Louis Philippe Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
Walnut
Antique 1880s Scottish Victorian Chairs
Walnut
Antique 1880s English George II Chairs
Leather, Walnut
20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Chairs
Walnut, Cane
Antique Early 19th Century American Sheraton Chairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Plywood
20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1940s French Side Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique Mid-19th Century British Side Chairs
Satinwood
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Side Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Side Chairs
Antique Late 19th Century English Regency Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Side Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Side Chairs
Wood
2010s Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Chairs
Antique 19th Century Dining Room Chairs
Beech
Antique 19th Century Hungarian Biedermeier Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
- 1
Balloon Back Side Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Balloon Back Side 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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