Painted Ladder Back Chairs
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Rush, Wood
20th Century American American Craftsman Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Shaker Side Chairs
Wood, Paint
Antique 1820s American Primitive Chairs
Wood
20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century British Country Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood
Early 20th Century Dutch Shaker Side Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Antique Late 18th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs
Rush, Wood
Early 20th Century American French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood, Giltwood, Paint
Antique 17th Century Italian Renaissance Side Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American Adirondack Chairs
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century American Country Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
20th Century French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Rush
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Antique Late 18th Century American American Classical Armchairs
Pine
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Ash
Antique Late 19th Century British Rustic Chairs
Ash, Pine, Rush
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese French Provincial Dining Room C...
Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Iron
Late 20th Century Chinese Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood, Cherry, Paint
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rope, Hardwood, Paint
Vintage 1950s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Straw, Ash
Late 20th Century Chinese Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood, Cherry, Paint
Early 20th Century French Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary English George I Armchairs
Wood, Leather
Early 20th Century French Armchairs
Iron
Late 20th Century French Country Stools
Rush, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century French Paintings
Canvas, Giltwood
20th Century American Side Chairs
Pine
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Painted Furniture
Oak, Twine
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Rustic Chairs
Paint, Rush, Wood
Antique 1860s English Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Wood, Paint, Rattan
Antique 1830s French Armchairs
Wood, Linen
Vintage 1950s Chairs
Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century English Side Chairs
Wood, Paint, Rattan
Antique Late 18th Century American Folk Art Children's Furniture
Rush, Maple
Antique Early 19th Century American Antiquities
Cane, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Pine
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs
Beech
Antique 19th Century American Ladders
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Painted Furniture
Antique 19th Century Painted Furniture
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Early 20th Century Folk Art Side Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary American Chairs
Cherry
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Pine
Vintage 1930s Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1930s French Country Dining Room Chairs
Elm, Linen
Vintage 1960s European Side Chairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Rocking Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Maple
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Painted Ladder Back Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Painted Ladder Back Chairs?
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 ExpertApril 5, 2022Ladder back chairs have a timeless design that was popular in several eras. Early examples date back to the Middle Ages. The wooden chairs became very popular in colonial America and England during the 17th century. Shop a range of antique and vintage ladder back chairs on 1stDibs.
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