Wire Shoeshine Chair
Vintage 1910s American Late Victorian Chairs
Metal, Iron, Nickel
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Chairs
Wrought Iron
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Antique 1830s French Louis XVI Paintings
Canvas, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Streamlined Moderne Chairs
Chrome
Antique 19th Century English Bergere Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Country Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Trumeau Mirrors
Wood, Mirror
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Trumeau Mirrors
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs
Oak, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Rocking Chairs
Oak
Antique 1860s Italian High Victorian Benches
Oak
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Trumeau Mirrors
Canvas, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American Painted Furniture
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Dining Room Chairs
Walnut, Paint
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Trumeau Mirrors
Gesso, Wood, Mirror
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Trumeau Mirrors
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Metal
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Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Armchairs
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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 ExpertApril 5, 2022The comfort of an Eames wire chair is a matter of preference, but the chair was designed to be comfortable. That said, the company did design pads to be used with this chair to boost the comfort level for some. The initial pads were found to be too moveable so more stable pads were created in later models. Shop a collection of Eames chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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