Slipcovered Pair Of Armchairs
20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs
Metal
Early 2000s Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chairs
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Chairs
Synthetic
21st Century and Contemporary American Chairs
Cotton, Synthetic
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20th Century Chairs
Muslin
21st Century and Contemporary British Jacobean Console Tables
Oak, Yew
21st Century and Contemporary American Pillows and Throws
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Moorish Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Metal
Antique 1680s English Charles II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Maple, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
2010s Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Nickel
Vintage 1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
1990s Italian Books
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Armchairs
Leather
20th Century Louis XV Chairs
Cotton, Wood
2010s American American Classical Club Chairs
Linen
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Sideboards
Brass
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
Steel
Antique 18th Century Armchairs
Wood
20th Century European Louis XV Chairs
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1940s American Bergere Chairs
Wood, Muslin
Vintage 1950s American Lounge Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
20th Century French Provincial Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1940s American Chairs
Vintage 1940s American Armchairs
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Giltwood, Linen
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.
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