High Back Chairs
20th Century American Adirondack Chairs
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century American Adirondack Chairs
Wood
2010s American Chairs
Plywood
Vintage 1950s Adirondack Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome, Steel
Vintage 1950s Italian Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Wood
Antique 1850s American Adirondack Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s French Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique 1860s English Gothic Revival Chairs
Upholstery, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Steel
2010s Chinese Modern Chairs
Other
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Rattan, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century North American Chairs
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wicker, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Steel
20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood
2010s American Chairs
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1930s Italian Armchairs
Oak
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Industrial Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Chairs
Vintage 1950s French Brutalist Chairs
Velvet, Oak
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
20th Century Italian Baroque Chairs
Velvet, Giltwood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s French Chairs
Vintage 1920s Spanish Spanish Colonial Chairs
Wood
20th Century Italian Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese William and Mary Dining Room Ch...
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Walnut, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1980s Austrian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass
2010s French Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century Asian Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Regency Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Chairs
Bamboo
Vintage 1980s European Post-Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Ash
Mid-20th Century Turkish Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1980s Italian Chairs
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo
2010s American Modern Chairs
Brass, Copper, Steel, Chrome
20th Century Chairs
Elm
20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Steel, Other
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High Back Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are High Back Chairs?
Finding the Right Chairs for You
Chairs are an indispensable component of your home and office. Can you imagine your life without the vintage, new or antique chairs you love?
With the exception of rocking chairs, the majority of the seating in our homes today — Windsor chairs, chaise longues, wingback chairs — originated in either England or France. Art Nouveau chairs, the style of which also originated in those regions, embraced the inherent magnificence of the natural world with decorative flourishes and refined designs that blended both curved and geometric contour lines. While craftsmanship and styles have evolved in the past century, chairs have had a singular significance in our lives, no matter what your favorite chair looks like.
“The chair is the piece of furniture that is closest to human beings,” said Hans Wegner. The revered Danish cabinetmaker and furniture designer was prolific, having designed nearly 500 chairs over the course of his lifetime. His beloved designs include the Wishbone chair, the wingback Papa Bear chair and many more.
Other designers of Scandinavian modernist chairs introduced new dynamics to this staple with sculptural flowing lines, curvaceous shapes and efficient functionality. The Paimio armchair, Swan chair and Panton chair are vintage works of Finnish and Danish seating that left an indelible mark on the history of good furniture design.
“What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts,” said Ray Eames.
Visionary polymaths Ray and Charles Eames experimented with bent plywood and fiberglass with the goal of producing affordable furniture for a mass market. Like other celebrated mid-century modern furniture designers of elegant low-profile furnishings — among them Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Finn Juhl — the Eameses considered ergonomic support, durability and cost, all of which should be top of mind when shopping for the perfect chair. The mid-century years yielded many popular chairs.
The Eameses introduced numerous icons for manufacturer Herman Miller, such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, molded plywood dining chairs the DCM and DCW (which can be artfully mismatched around your dining table) and a wealth of other treasured pieces for the home and office.
A good chair anchors us to a place and can become an object of timeless appeal. Take a seat and browse the rich variety of vintage, new and antique chairs on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A high back office chair has a tall backrest to provide support to both your back and neck. It helps minimize the risk of chronic neck and back problems. These chairs also come with wheels attached for ease of mobility. Shop a range of antique and vintage high back office chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023High-backed old-fashioned chairs are often called wingback chairs. They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, vintage and modern wingback chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a low back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A low-back chair is designed to provide lumbar support to the lower back and mid-back. These chairs have a small backrest that reaches till the middle of one's back. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary low back chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 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.
- What is a sling back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A sling chair is usually made up of a framework connected by ropes or fabric hanging between the poles or frame. This design results in a structure quite similar to a sling stretcher.
- What is a comb back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A comb back chair is a style of chair featuring a back resembling a comb. Comb back chairs are also known as Windsor chairs and are typically crafted with a cage-like backing. Shop a selection of comb back chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a balloon back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A balloon back chair is a specific type of seat that became popular during the Victorian era. It features a curved back that tapers as it travels down to the seat. Many balloon back chairs are armless, and nearly all examples feature upholstered seats. You'll find a range of balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a bow back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bow back chair refers to a silhouette of a chair with a curved back and is usually made with high-quality wood. Bow back chairs were popular during the colonial period and are representative of American-Amish heritage. Browse a range of vintage bow back chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a lyre back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A lyre back chair is a type of furniture used for seating that originated during the early 18th century. It features a square back embellished with wood shaped like a lyre, an ancient stringed musical instrument. On 1stDibs, find a variety of lyre back chairs.
- What is a channel back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A channel back chair is a chair that features deep channels in the upholstery along the back. These can create a seashell-like effect. This kind of back may also be called a fluted back. On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage and new channel back chairs.
- What is a splat back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A splat back chair is a chair with a vertical central element on its back. Splat back chairs have more of a formal feel to them compared to other types of chairs and seating. Splat back Windsor chairs are popular on 1stDibs.
- What is a yoke back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yoke back chairs are those that feature a curved top rail and a single central splat. The style of chair originated in China during the 10th century and was a common feature in Chinese homes by the 12th century. On 1stDibs, shop a range of yoke back chairs.
- What is a Windsor back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A Windsor back chair is a solid wooden chair with an arched spindle back. Most designs have curved arms positioned on angled stands and carved legs connected by a cross stretcher. The chair gets its name from the English city of Windsor, where the chairs were first made in the 18th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Windsor back chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024The back of a chair is called a chair back. In some cases, you may see people use modifiers to describe the styles of chair backs. For example, a chair with two crisscrossing cross rails is an X-back or cross back, while a chair with a series of horizontal cross rails positioned parallel to one another is a ladder back. Explore a wide range of chairs on 1stDibs.
- Are wooden high chairs safe?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021While antique wooden high chairs look nice and are a fun idea, they are not often the safest choice of seating for babies. Old fashioned wooden high chairs that feature removable wooden trays or arms don't typically meet modern safety standards. Parents must be cautious if they wish to use these chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Balloon back chairs are from the Victorian era, which lasted from the late 1830s to the turn of the 20th century. These chairs get their name from their rounded backrests and narrow waists, which make it seem like their tops have ballooned or grown in size. On 1stDibs, shop a range of balloon back chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Cross back chairs are sometimes called X-back chairs because of the crisscrossing design. However, cross back chair is a commonly used name in its own right. Since couples often rent these types of chairs for seating during wedding ceremonies, some people call cross back chairs wedding chairs. Shop an assortment of cross back chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Vladimir Kagan designed the Shield Back chair, which debuted in 1955. It features an upholstered back and seat. Cabinetmaker George Hepplewhite is also known for creating an all-wood shield back chair sometime during the mid-18th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of shield back chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To upholster a channel back chair, you will need to remove the seat and back of the chair, measure for new padding and upholstery and make specialized cuts and patterns for the channels. Upholstering channel back chairs is challenging, so if you’re not experienced in upholstering furniture, it’s best to take it to someone who is. Shop a selection of upholstered channel chairs from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Round back chairs are often called barrel chairs or barrel back chairs. This is because the curvy shape makes the back look similar to half of a barrel. Often, this type of chair has an upholstered seat and exposed wood legs. You'll find a selection of barrel chairs on 1stDibs.
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