Needlework Seat Cover
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Armchairs
Tapestry, Walnut
2010s South African Minimalist Chairs
Steel
Antique 1680s British Charles II Armchairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century Chairs
Wool
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Stools
Walnut
Antique 1710s Armchairs
Giltwood
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2010s American Table Lamps
Brass, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
2010s Italian Side Tables
Onyx
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Portuguese Armchairs
Marble
2010s Canadian Post-Modern Chairs
Rattan, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs
Bouclé, Wood, Oak
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Velvet
Antique 1720s Chinese Chinese Export Vases
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Plastic, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lounge Chairs
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Leather, Bouclé, Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Wool, Oak
Antique 1760s English George III Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century English Quilts and Blankets
Antique 19th Century British Stools
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Antique Mid-18th Century German Rococo Armchairs
Walnut, Tapestry
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Stools
Antique 1720s English George I Chairs
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Armchairs
Antique Early 18th Century English George II Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique 1750s English Chippendale Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Italian Sofas
Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Chairs
Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Stools
Textile, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Antique 19th Century British Queen Anne Stools
Thread, Wood
Antique 1750s German Armchairs
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Stools
Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XIV Armchairs
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Stools
Birch
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Stools
Birch
Antique 1750s Irish George II Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century British George IV Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Early 1700s English Baroque Settees
Walnut
Early 20th Century Chairs
Velvet
Antique Late 19th Century French Footstools
Tapestry, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Settees
Tapestry, Wood
Antique 19th Century English George II Chairs
Walnut
Antique 1860s French Louis XV Armchairs
Beech
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Lounge Chairs
Mahogany, Textile
Vintage 1970s American Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English George II Armchairs
Mahogany, Textile
Antique 19th Century Dutch Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century English Gothic Revival Benches
Fabric, Rosewood
Antique Mid-19th Century English Gothic Revival Benches
Rosewood, Fabric
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Armchairs
Textile, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Irish George II Armchairs
Mahogany, Textile
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Side Chairs
Lacquer
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Stools
Walnut, Wool
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Armchairs
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Chairs
Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Side Chairs
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Georgian Armchairs
Tapestry, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Irish Stools
Walnut
Antique 19th Century British Stools
Wood
Antique 19th Century British Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 18th Century English George II Side Chairs
Tapestry, Walnut
Antique 1710s Great Britain (UK) Chinoiserie Chairs
Tapestry, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Early 17th Century English George I Armchairs
Tapestry, Giltwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Settees
Mahogany
Antique 1860s English Gothic Revival Stools
Rosewood
Antique Mid-18th Century English Armchairs
Textile, Tapestry, 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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.