Shearling And Iron Chair
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Side Chairs
Wrought Iron
2010s American Modern Chairs
Steel, Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Hide, Sheepskin, Walnut
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin
People Also Browsed
2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
2010s Modern Tables
Hardwood, Oak
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Laminate, Hardwood
20th Century English Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Giltwood, Lacquer
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
Hardwood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile, Wood
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Late 20th Century American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Benches
Cedar
2010s Italian Side Tables
Onyx
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Stools
Iron
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Recent Sales
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Iron
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Lambskin, Pine
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Italian Side Chairs
Iron
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 ExpertMay 5, 2023In Britain, John Wilkinson made the first mass-produced iron chairs during the 1770s. However, handcrafted iron chairs appeared much earlier. In the mid-thirteenth century, King Edward I commissioned three iron chairs for St. Paul’s Cathedral. The artisan who made these pieces is unknown. On 1stDibs, find a range of iron chairs.
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