Conversation Settee
Antique 1870s English Anglo-Japanese Settees
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1950s English Settees
Velvet, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Modern Settees
Leather
Antique 1860s Napoleon III Settees
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century Biedermeier Settees
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Settees
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Renaissance Settees
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Country Settees
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Settees
Cotton, Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Rococo Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Settees
Wood, Rattan
Early 20th Century Asian Dutch Colonial Settees
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century French Victorian Settees
Upholstery
Antique 1740s Italian George II Loveseats
Upholstery, Giltwood
2010s American Modern Furniture
Oak
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Slipper Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery
2010s American Napoleon III Armchairs
Bronze
2010s American Napoleon III Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s American Napoleon III Armchairs
Bronze
2010s American Napoleon III Armchairs
Wood, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Iron, Wrought Iron
Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century English Loveseats
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Benches
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Bouclé, Wood
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Wood, Giltwood
2010s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Composition
Vintage 1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments
Aluminum
2010s Italian Sofas
Fabric
Antique 19th Century French Musical Instruments
Ormolu, Brass
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Antique 19th Century Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Birch
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Canapes
Walnut
2010s British Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
20th Century Chinese Settees
Rosewood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s Spanish Post-Modern Settees
Metal
Antique 19th Century English Settees
Walnut
Antique 1850s English Victorian Settees
Upholstery
Antique 1870s English Victorian Settees
Walnut
Antique 1860s English Victorian Settees
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Settees
Antique 1850s English Victorian Settees
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Settees
Antique Late 19th Century British High Victorian Settees
Walnut
Antique 1850s English Victorian Settees
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Settees
Fabric, Wood
Antique 1850s English Victorian Settees
Leather, Walnut
Antique 1870s British Sofas
Antique 19th Century British Settees
Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Settees
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century English George III Settees
Fabric, Textile, Silk, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Settees
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Rococo Settees
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
Antique 1880s European Victorian Settees
Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique 18th Century French Charles X Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Settees
Walnut
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Walnut
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Space Age Settees
Leather
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Oak
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Settees
Fabric
20th Century French Directoire Settees
Fabric, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees
Velvet, Mahogany
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Sofas
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Sofas
Satinwood
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Late 20th Century Benches
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Bamboo
20th Century American Sofas
Vintage 1970s French Modern Loveseats
Velvet, Foam
Vintage 1980s French Modern Loveseats
Leather, Foam
Vintage 1980s French Modern Loveseats
Ultrasuede, Foam
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
Vintage 1980s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Foam, Leather
Antique Late 19th Century English Settees
Antique 1850s English Victorian Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Settees
Fabric, Giltwood
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Antique Early 1900s British Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Settees
Upholstery
2010s English Victorian Settees
Velvet
20th Century Settees
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Bamboo
Antique Early 18th Century Spanish Baroque Settees
Leather
Vintage 1910s American Industrial Settees
Iron
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood
2010s European Daybeds
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Leather, Birch
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Linen, Velvet, Walnut
1990s French Modern Loveseats
Leather, Foam
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Benches
Oak
Vintage 1980s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Bouclé, Foam
Early 2000s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Ultrasuede, Foam
Vintage 1980s French Modern Living Room Sets
Ultrasuede, Foam
Vintage 1980s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Ultrasuede, Foam
Conversation Settee For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Conversation Settee?
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.
- Who named the settee?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The first person who called a settee a settee is unknown. Historians have traced the name back to the Middle Ages when the furniture first came into production. Settee comes from the Old English word “setl,” which described a long wooden bench. On 1st 1stDibs, find a selection of antique settees.
- What is a settee used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A settee is a padded seat with a back and armrests (which are often cushioned) that may accommodate two or more people sitting or reclining. Settees aren’t as wide as couches or sofas. A settee is more intimate and offers more sitting room than an armchair. On 1stDibs, find a range of antique and vintage settees.
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