Foldable Dante Chair
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Classical Roman Canapes
Iron
Antique 1870s Italian Renaissance Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
20th Century Unknown Renaissance Revival Chairs
Brass
20th Century English Modern Armchairs
Wood
20th Century English Modern Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Armchairs
Iron
Vintage 1980s Spanish Classical Roman Armchairs
Bronze, Iron
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Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Patio and Garden Furniture
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Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lacquer
Giltwood, Lacquer
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Chairs
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Other Vases
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Antique 19th Century Indian British Colonial Armchairs
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Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sofa Tables
Cedar
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables
Ash, Oak, Sycamore
Early 20th Century Japanese Ceramics
Ceramic
Early 20th Century British Classical Roman Chairs
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Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut
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Early 20th Century English Charles II Settees
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Antique 1870s Italian Renaissance Revival Armchairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Chairs
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Vintage 1920s Italian Barbizon School Armchairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Side Chairs
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Antique 1880s Italian Renaissance Armchairs
Bone, Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique 1880s Italian Renaissance Revival Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Iron
Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Classical Roman Armchairs
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century Italian Campaign Armchairs
Iron, Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Campaign Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Side Chairs
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Chairs
Brass, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1930s Italian Chairs
Wrought Iron, Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Chairs
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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 Dante chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dante chair, also known as a scissor chair, X-chair or Savonarola chair, is a chair that is crafted with two crossed supports. It is one of the oldest forms of a chair. Shop a collection of dante chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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