Pub Chairs Windsor Chairs
Early 20th Century American Colonial Windsor Chairs
Pine
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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Windsor Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Colonial Armchairs
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1920s English Country Chairs
Rush, Ash
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Maple
Mid-20th Century Chairs
Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 1900s Danish Side Chairs
Beech
Antique Late 19th Century British Windsor Chairs
Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Rustic Chairs
Wood
Antique 1860s English Rocking Chairs
Rush, Beech
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Birch, Teak
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Birch
Antique 1890s English Jacobean Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Birch, Maple
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Windsor Chairs
Cane, Oak
Early 20th Century American Windsor Chairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century Country Dining Room Chairs
Cherry
Vintage 1960s Country Dining Room Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century English Regency Armchairs
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century English Windsor Chairs
Elm
Antique Mid-19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Beech, Elm
Antique Mid-19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Ash, Beech, Elm, Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century British Country Stools
Beech, Elm
Antique Mid-19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Ash, Beech, Elm
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.
- What is a Windsor back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A Windsor back chair is a solid wooden chair with an arched spindle back. Most designs have curved arms positioned on angled stands and carved legs connected by a cross stretcher. The chair gets its name from the English city of Windsor, where the chairs were first made in the 18th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Windsor back chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023To identify a Windsor chair, look at how it was made. On authentic pieces, the bentwood back frames are assembled with slender wooden spindles that are plugged into drill holes in the sculpted seat, which was usually made of elm and slightly sunken or dish-shaped for the sitter’s comfort. The chairs have wooden legs that splay outward to provide stability, and unlike other chair designs, the back legs have no connection to the chair back. Shop a range of Windsor chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a Windsor rocking chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A Windsor rocking chair is built for comfort and is usually manufactured in such a way that the seat’s spindles, along with the chair-back and legs, are pushed into holes that have been drilled. This sets this type of chair apart, as the standard construction of a chair sees that the back legs are continuous. The Windsor chair originated in the early 1700s in the English town of Windsor. As mentioned, their bentwood back frames are assembled with slender wooden spindles that are plugged into drill holes in the sculpted seat, which was usually made of elm and slightly sunken or dish-shaped for the sitter’s comfort. Shop a collection of antique and vintage Windsor rocking chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 14, 2023A Windsor chair is called that after the town where it was first made, Windsor, England. In 1710, artisans in the village began producing wooden spindle chairs. Craftsmen in the American colonies began making their own versions in the 1730s. A handful of Windsor chairs are said to have appeared in Philadelphia by the late 1720s, however, owing to Pennsylvania lieutenant governor Patrick Gordon’s fondness for the seat. Colonial furniture makers sometimes painted their Windsor chairs, which were crafted from a variety of woods such as thick pine, ash or birch. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique Windsor chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A set of antique Windsor chairs can sell from about $500 to well into the thousands, depending on the quality and condition. Single chairs range from about $100 to thousands, with age being a major factor in value. Find a range of antique vintage Windsor and other chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify a Windsor rocking chair, enlist the help of a licensed furniture appraiser. Many convincing distressed reproductions exist due to their popularity and value. An experienced professional can accurately determine if yours is an authentic antique or a replica. Find a range of expertly vetted Windsor rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
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