Wingback Chairs
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Nutwood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Oak
2010s Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Oak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Oak, Upholstery
2010s European Modern Wingback Chairs
Wood, Velvet
1940s Czech Art Deco Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century English Art Deco Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Beech
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Faux Leather, Teak
20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XIII Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak, Canvas
1950s English Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
20th Century British Wingback Chairs
Leather
Early 20th Century British Wingback Chairs
Wood
1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
1980s Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cotton, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Cherry
1980s Queen Anne Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cotton
Late 19th Century American Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood, Linen, Upholstery
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech
1840s English George III Antique Wingback Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
1980s Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
Late 20th Century American American Classical Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Pearwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Lambskin, Oak
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Wingback Chairs
Wicker, Paint
Antique, New and Vintage Wingback Chairs
They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s.
Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace.
Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spinoffs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair).
Shop the most innovative versions of wingback chairs today on 1stDibs.