Empire Spoon Back Chair
Mid-20th Century Figurative Paintings
Ink, Paper
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2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
2010s Table Lamps
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
Vintage 1970s Hollywood Regency Ashtrays
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Lacquer
20th Century French Country Barware
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Elm, Pine, Teak, Oak, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Fruitwood
2010s Italian Figurative Sculptures
Marble
2010s Bosnian Daybeds
Velvet, Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century Modern Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink, Wax Crayon
1990s Performance Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Mixed Media
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Great Britain (UK) Empire Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century American Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Mahogany
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 spoon back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A spoon back chair is an accent chair that features a deep curved back that forms arms along the sides of the furniture by sloping downward. Most spoon back chairs have wooden backs and upholstered seats. Find a variety of spoon back chairs on 1stDibs.
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