Formal Chair
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s European Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Bronze
Vintage 1980s American Anglo-Indian Club Chairs
Cane, Mahogany
2010s Italian Chairs
Beech
2010s Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Bouclé
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Brass
2010s Italian Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Upholstery
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Bouclé
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Bouclé
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Bouclé
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Bouclé
Antique 18th Century Louis XIV Chairs
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Metal
2010s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
Concrete, Marble
2010s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
Concrete
2010s American Modern Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Marble, Bronze
Vintage 1950s French Minimalist Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1940s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wicker, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Textile, Rope, Ash
2010s Canadian Brutalist Chairs
Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Rustic Chairs
Wood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Chairs
Birdseye Maple
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Chairs
Straw, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Chairs
Ash, Elm
Early 20th Century Italian Chairs
Straw, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Chairs
Ash, Elm
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Fabric
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Leather
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Velvet, Upholstery
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Chairs
Giltwood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Chairs
Metal
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
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Formal Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Formal 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.
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