Monk Head Chair
Antique 1860s Italian High Victorian Benches
Oak
Antique 1890s Chaise Longues
Fabric, Teak
Antique Mid-19th Century Prints
Paper
1990s Performance Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Mixed Media
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Mid-20th Century American Edwardian Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Vintage 1970s Hollywood Regency Ashtrays
Ceramic
Antique 19th Century English Gothic Revival Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century Spanish Baroque Farm Tables
Walnut
1970s American Modern Nude Photography
Silver Gelatin
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Beds and Bed Frames
Lacquer, Wood
Early 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Antique 1870s Austrian Fireplaces and Mantels
Wood
20th Century French Floor Lamps
Crystal
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Beds and Bed Frames
Iron
Antique 1890s French Louis XV Settees
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Bookcases
Glass, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Gothic Decorative Art
Wood
Late 20th Century Indian Moorish Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Floor Lamps
Crystal, Ormolu
Recent Sales
Antique 16th Century Dutch Gothic Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Gothic Benches
Oak
Early 20th Century American Settees
Vintage 1920s British Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1930s Great Britain (UK) Arts and Crafts Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1930s Great Britain (UK) Arts and Crafts Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1930s British Armchairs
Oak
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 ExpertMarch 22, 2022The monk chair gets its name from its understated clean lines. It refers to the fact that religious monks typically wear simple garments and live in spartan environments. Afra and Tobia Scarpa designed the chair in 1974. You'll find a range of monk chairs on 1stDibs.
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