Turned Spindle Cane Chair
Early 20th Century English Slipper Chairs
Bamboo, Cane
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Chairs
Cane, Giltwood
Antique 1890s Scottish Victorian Chairs
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century British Aesthetic Movement Side Chairs
Walnut, Bamboo, Cane, Rush
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Stools
Cane, Hardwood, Paint
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20th Century French Benches
Velvet, Beech
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Daybeds
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Spruce
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Giltwood
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Vitrines
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Daybeds
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood, Velvet, Cane
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Cane, Mahogany
Antique 1880s Scottish Victorian Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Maple
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Hardwood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Chairs
Cane, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Rocking Chairs
Cane
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Antique Late 19th Century English Side Chairs
Rosewood, Upholstery, Cane
20th Century American Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Wood, Beech
Early 20th Century Country Rocking Chairs
Cane, Maple
20th Century Italian Renaissance Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Walnut
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Oak
Antique 19th Century Rocking Chairs
Beech, Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Wood
Antique 1880s American Aesthetic Movement Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Chairs
Cane, Beech
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Side Chairs
Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century Indian Bohemian Side Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique 19th Century Rococo Side Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Cane, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Oak
20th Century European Rococo Side Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Silk, Wood, Ebony
Early 20th Century Jacobean Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 1840s American American Empire Chairs
Oak
20th Century American Armchairs
Mid-20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Cane, Teak
Antique 19th Century Asian Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Oak
Vintage 1910s William and Mary Buffets
Walnut, Burl
Early 20th Century William and Mary Cabinets
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Chairs
Cane, Wood, Oak
20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Oak
20th Century American Sheraton Chairs
Cane, Chestnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Walnut, Cane
Early 20th Century Indian Moorish Side Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique 1880s American Victorian Rocking Chairs
20th Century Austrian Industrial Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Fruitwood
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Cane, Teak
Antique Mid-19th Century English Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Hardwood
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Antique 19th Century Sri Lankan Armchairs
Antique 19th Century North American Victorian Rocking Chairs
Oak
Antique 17th Century Indian Furniture
Cane, Ebony
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan Benches
Vintage 1960s Danish Armchairs
Antique 1830s Indian British Colonial Dining Room Chairs
Wood
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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You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
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.