Parsons Side Chair
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Leather
20th Century North American Modern Chairs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1990s American American Classical Side Chairs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Side Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Other Side Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Chrome
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Ceramic
Antique Late 19th Century Side Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
2010s American Side Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Oak, Glass
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1980s Dining Room Chairs
Cotton
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery
20th Century Chairs
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery
Antique 18th Century English Regency Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Velvet, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Side Tables
Ceramic, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Plastic
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Armchairs
Faux Leather
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Dining Room Tables
Composition
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Metal
Vintage 1980s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Maple
Late 20th Century American Modern Armchairs
Chrome
20th Century American Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rattan, Ceramic
Vintage 1950s Side Chairs
Wood, Coconut, Textile
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
2010s Canadian Side Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Side Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Other Side Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Late 20th Century Side Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Other Side Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Textile, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1980s American Modern Side Chairs
Lacquer, Bone, Shagreen, Wood
20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Laminate, Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Velvet
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Parsons Side Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Parsons Side Chair?
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 ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The difference between a side chair and a Parsons chair is style. A side chair is a very commonly used dining chair. The form of a side chair may vary, but the constant is the lack of armrests to keep hands free for eating and to save space at the table. A Parsons chair is a type of side chair that features upholstery on the seat and back. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a Parsons chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024A Parsons chair is a type of dining chair. It features four wooden legs with a slight taper. In some cases, the front legs may be turned. The chairs also tend to have high rectangular backs and lightly padded seats, both clad in upholstery. The name Parsons chair refers to the Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, where students first developed the now iconic chair during the 1930s. Shop an assortment of Parsons chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a Parsons-style chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Parsons-style chair is a type of seating furniture with a simple square back and straight arms that connect to rectangular legs. The name comes from the Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, where the chairs originated in the 1930s. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Parsons-style chairs.
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