Harris Tweed Chair
20th Century American Bauhaus Chairs
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Leather, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Organic Material, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Oak
Antique 1830s English William IV Armchairs
Upholstery, Rosewood
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Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
2010s British Chairs
Leather
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
Vintage 1980s Swivel Chairs
Leather
Late 20th Century American Modern Swivel Chairs
Bouclé
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Marble, Brass
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Walnut, Fabric
Antique Mid-19th Century Spanish Renaissance Side Chairs
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Armchairs
Oak
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Antique 1870s German Folk Art Wall Mirrors
Boxwood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary English Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary English Late Victorian Club Chairs
Wool
Vintage 1960s American Bauhaus Armchairs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary British Armchairs
Cowhide, Leather, Mahogany, Wool
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Armchairs
Wood
20th Century British Lounge Chairs
Teak
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
1990s Fauvist Landscape Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Wood
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs
Leather, Wool
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wool
Vintage 1920s Scottish British Colonial Club Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Mid-20th Century Sofas
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wool, Walnut
Mid-20th Century British Georgian Wingback Chairs
Leather
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether or not a Harry Bertoia chair is comfortable really comes down to a matter of personal preference, but there are a lot of positive reviews pertaining to how comfortable the Italian-born American designer’s seating is. Among furniture aficionados he is known for the wire-lattice Diamond chair (and its variants such as the tall-backed Bird chair) designed for Knoll Inc. and first released in 1952. Shop a selection of Bertoia chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
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