Raj Bench
Early 20th Century Anglo-Indian Benches
Sandalwood
Vintage 1980s Indonesian Anglo Raj Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Indian Moorish Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
People Also Browsed
2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
2010s Mexican American Craftsman Center Tables
Hardwood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Game Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century North American Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Brass, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1940s Persian Flush Mount
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Rush, Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 1860s English Coat Racks and Stands
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan British Colonial Beds and Bed F...
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Beds and Bed Frames
Cane, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
20th Century American American Classical Beds and Bed Frames
Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Buffets
Marble, Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Modern Games
Chrome
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Indian Benches
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Teak
Vintage 1960s Indian Benches
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Mahogany
Antique 1890s Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Teak
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Sofas
Brass, Iron
2010s Conceptual Portrait Photography
Giclée
20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Daybeds
Antique 19th Century Indian Anglo Raj Trunks and Luggage
Teak
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Benches
Cane, Wood
20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Rope, Rattan, Wicker, Reed
Early 20th Century Indian Benches
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Indian Benches
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Indian Benches
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Indian Benches
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Indian Benches
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Benches
20th Century American Benches
Vintage 1920s Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Teak
Antique 19th Century Indian Benches
Wood, Cane
Vintage 1950s Indian Anglo Raj Chairs
Iron
Early 20th Century Lounge Chairs
Antique Late 19th Century Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Teak
Vintage 1950s Asian Anglo Raj Benches
Marble
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Iron
Vintage 1910s Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Teak
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Teak
Vintage 1950s Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Iron
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Benches
Iron
Early 20th Century Asian Anglo Raj Benches
Teak
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Patio and Garden Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Patio and Garden Furniture
Marble
Antique 19th Century Indian Anglo Raj Blanket Chests
Teak
Antique 19th Century Indian Anglo Raj Blanket Chests
Teak
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
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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
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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.