Ironwood Chair
2010s American Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Organic Modern Side Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Organic Modern Side Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Organic Modern Side Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
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Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sofa Tables
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Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Shelves
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Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Tables
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20th Century Balinese Daybeds
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Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Coffee and Cocktail Tables
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21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Other Screens and Room Dividers
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21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Organic Modern Side Tables
Wood, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Balinese Games
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21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Organic Modern Chairs
Wood, Fruitwood
Vintage 1950s Organic Modern Side Tables
Reclaimed Wood, Wood, Teak
Early 20th Century Balinese Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
Vintage 1970s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Shelves
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Mid-20th Century Primitive Chairs
Wood
20th Century East Asian Organic Modern Chairs
Wood
20th Century Thai Anglo-Indian Chairs
20th Century Sierra Leonean Armchairs
20th Century Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Modern Chairs
Rattan, Hardwood
Vintage 1940s Indian Chairs
Antique 19th Century Ethiopian Chairs
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Chairs
Vintage 1970s South African Armchairs
Fabric
Vintage 1970s South African Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary 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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