Knoll Drop Arm
20th Century English Art Deco Armchairs
Leather
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1960s English Settees
Velvet
Vintage 1960s English Canapes
Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Plywood
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Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Daybeds
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Belgian Aubusson Tapestries
Wool, Silk
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Antique 1880s English Kilim Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Spruce
Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Armchairs
Fabric, Birch
20th Century English Art Deco Cabinets
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Bamboo, Rattan
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Architectural Elements
Composition
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass, Stainless Steel
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Rosewood, Walnut
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 drop arm sofa for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A drop-arm sofa is designed to save space by converting into a comfortable single bed when the arms are dropped. The next morning, returning the arms to their original position turns the bed back into a sofa. Shop a collection of drop arm sofas from sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a Knole drop-arm sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A Knole drop-arm sofa is a settee developed during the 17th century. It usually has a rectangle back with a decorative wood trim and tall fully upholstered arms positioned at a diagonal. Originally, the sofa served as a royal seat for monarchs. You'll find a variety of Knole sofas on 1stDibs.
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