Wingback Chairs
19th Century English Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Wood, Fabric
1980s Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Cotton, Mahogany, Down
1960s Danish Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
2010s South African Modern Wingback Chairs
Steel
1960s American American Colonial Vintage Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Ash
Late 20th Century North American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
1810s English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Hardwood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Walnut
2010s Renaissance Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century English Art Deco Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Beech
Late 19th Century American Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Textile, Wood
2010s English Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Cherry
1990s American George III Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Central American Wingback Chairs
Horn, Leather
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Elm
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Mohair, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Walnut, Leather
1970s Philippine Anglo-Indian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Reed
20th Century English Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wool, Oak
19th Century European Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Steel
1860s English Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Oak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Cherry
1980s American Organic Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Hide, Sheepskin, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Brass
1870s Irish Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
18th Century English Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Straw, Oak
1990s American Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Early 2000s Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wool
Early 20th Century Swedish Victorian Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1910s English William and Mary Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
19th Century Swedish Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut, Upholstery
1760s German Baroque Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Metal
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
2010s Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Early 1900s English Kilim Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak, Canvas
20th Century Georgian Wingback Chairs
Linen, Upholstery, Cord, Wood
1970s American French Provincial Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Beech
19th Century French Antique Wingback Chairs
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.
Read More
Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair Scrambled the Idea of What a Wingback Could Be
The curvaceous Egg was designed to cradle the body and offer privacy. Later, it became the seat of choice for bosses in movies, too.
23 Ways to Rethink the Classic Wingback Chair
We take a fresh look at a more than 300-year-old fixture in furniture design.