Old Hickory High Back
20th Century American Rustic Armchairs
Hickory
Vintage 1980s Settees
Leather, Cotton, Faux Fur
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Vintage 1940s Danish Art Deco Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s English Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Hickory
Vintage 1980s Settees
Cotton
20th Century American Georgian Settees
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Adirondack Stools
Hickory
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century English Country Settees
Velvet, Beech, Oak
Antique 19th Century American Country Rocking Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century Virgin Islands Regency Rocking Chairs
Cane, Mahogany, Oak
20th Century Sofas
Ostrich Leather
Late 20th Century Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Benches
Hickory
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Side Chairs
Hickory
Early 20th Century Country Rocking Chairs
Rush, Oak
Recent Sales
Vintage 1940s American Rocking Chairs
Cane, Hickory
Early 20th Century American Rustic Stools
Wicker, Wood, Hickory, Willow
Vintage 1940s American Armchairs
Vintage 1940s American Adirondack Dining Room Chairs
Hickory
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Dining Room Sets
Hickory
20th Century American Adirondack Stools
Hickory, Hide, Upholstery
Vintage 1940s American Dining Room Chairs
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Hickory
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Armchairs
Hickory
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Country Card Tables and Tea Tables
Hickory, Leather
Early 20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Antique Late 19th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Paint, Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Armchairs
Walnut, Hickory
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
20th Century American Adirondack Chairs
Hickory
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Wood, Hickory
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Cotton
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Pine, Maple, Hickory
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 ExpertJune 15, 2023High-backed old-fashioned chairs are often called wingback chairs. They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, vintage and modern wingback chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
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