Hoof Foot Stool
20th Century American Country Stools
Fabric, Wood
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20th Century French Other Stools
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Other Stools
Wood, Upholstery
20th Century Louis XVI Stools
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Stools
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Stools
Wood
Antique 1880s French Stools
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Stools
Wool, Elm
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Other Stools
Velvet, Wood
Antique 1820s French Louis Philippe Stools
Paint, Giltwood, Wood, Muslin, Gesso
Antique 1870s French Louis XIV Center Tables
Wood, Walnut
20th Century French Stools
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Stools
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Stools
Upholstery
Antique Early 1900s French Stools
Fabric, Hardwood
20th Century Italian Regency Benches
Fabric, Wood, Down
Recent Sales
20th Century Classical Greek Stools
Fruitwood
Antique Early 1900s French Footstools
Cowhide
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Elm
Early 20th Century Italian Stools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Stools
Walnut
20th Century North African Stools
Wood, Leather
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Footstools
Textile, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Footstools
Wood, Silk, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Empire Benches
Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique 19th Century Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Mirror, Ebony
Early 20th Century Italian Regency Stools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Country Stools
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Stools
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century French Rustic Stools
Fur, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Metal
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Furniture
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century French Stools
Wood, Leather
Antique 19th Century Stools
Wood
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Stools
Walnut
Vintage 1920s American Rustic Footstools
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.
- What is a foot stool called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A footstool is called an ottoman, hassock or pouf. The footstool is an umbrella term for furniture pieces used to elevate the foot. On 1stDibs, you can find a wide variety of antique and vintage footstools in different colors, styles and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Yes, an ottoman can be used as a footstool. The ottoman, originally an upholstered seat or small bench without a back or arms, was a family’s main seating furniture, a way to merge floor seating with cushions and mats. It wasn’t until they were brought to Europe from Turkey, during the 18th century, that it became popular to join ottomans with other pieces of furniture, such as at the base of a chair. On 1stDibs, find a collection of ottomans.
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