Spindel Chairs
Late 20th Century American American Colonial Windsor Chairs
Hardwood, Lacquer
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
Plywood, Birch
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21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Stools
Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Children's Furniture
Plywood
Early 20th Century American Children's Furniture
Wicker
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Rocking Chairs
Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
Wood, Plywood
Antique 19th Century Primitive Children's Furniture
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Children's Furniture
Pine, Paint
Antique 18th Century English Children's Furniture
Oak
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
Plastic, Wood
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Concrete, Brass
Antique 1890s American Late Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker, Cane, Wood
Antique 1890s American Late Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker, Cane, Wood
Antique 1890s American Late Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker, Cane, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Benches
Oak, Teak
2010s Italian Rocking Chairs
Iron
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1940s Italian Lounge Chairs
Mid-20th Century Side Chairs
20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Elm
Vintage 1960s Sofas
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardi...
Cement
Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Pine
Vintage 1950s Swiss Garden Ornaments
20th Century English Armchairs
Antique 19th Century Danish Armchairs
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Bouclé, Beech
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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