Gary Armchair
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Armchairs
Velvet, Fruitwood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Armchairs
Fabric, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Armchairs
Maple
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Elm
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Footstools
Fabric, Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Bookcases
Brass
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Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Cabinets
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1980s American Louis XV Bookcases
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Daybeds
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Club Chairs
Leather, Oak
20th Century American Organic Modern Armchairs
Leather, Cane, Rattan
Antique Early 1900s English Late Victorian Armchairs
Upholstery, Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Porcelain
Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Rococo Beds and Bed Frames
Giltwood
Vintage 1910s Armchairs
Leather, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Cane
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Table Lamps
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century Armchairs
Textile
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Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Brass
Late 20th Century American Minimalist Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Post-Modern Armchairs
Aluminum
20th Century Armchairs
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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After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.