Wesley Hall Sofa
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Industrial and Work Tables
Mirror, Walnut
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Art Deco End Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen, Foam, Down
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cotton, Hardwood
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Classical Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1990s Sofas
Leather
20th Century American Sofas
Mahogany
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Sofas
Velvet
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Beech, Oak, Leather
Vintage 1980s Sofas
Cowhide, Leather
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Silver
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Metal, Brass
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary Sectional Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary Sectional Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
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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Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
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Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
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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.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.