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Antique Late 18th Century American American Colonial Children's Furniture
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Windsor Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Adirondack Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Maple
Antique Early 19th Century American Side Chairs
Wood, Paint
2010s British Modern Stools
Hardwood, Ash, Maple, Oak, Walnut
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Antique Early 1900s English Shaker Lounge Chairs
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Early 20th Century English Country Windsor Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English George II Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Cabinets
Pine, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century English Chippendale Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Indian British Colonial Chairs
Wood, Cane
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Classical Painted Furniture
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Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Children's Furniture
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Antique 1840s American Painted Furniture
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Early 20th Century American Side Chairs
Hickory
Antique Early 19th Century Primitive Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Pine
Antique 17th Century British Charles II Side Chairs
Oak
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century American Adirondack Chairs
Pine
20th Century American American Colonial Windsor Chairs
Wood
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Antique 19th Century American Painted Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Country Chairs
Maple
Antique Late 19th Century Country Side Chairs
Hardwood
Antique Early 19th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Pine
20th Century Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Maple, Paint
Late 20th Century Federal Side Chairs
Paint, Maple
Antique 19th Century American Painted Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Primitive Windsor Chairs
Antique 19th Century American Adirondack Chairs
Pine
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.
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