Cane Rocker Thonet
Mid-20th Century Victorian Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Antique 1860s Austrian Rococo Revival Dining Room Tables
Cane, Bentwood
Antique 1860s Austrian Rococo Revival Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Antique 1860s Austrian Rococo Revival Dining Room Sets
Cane, Bentwood
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Cane, Beech
Mid-20th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Beech
Vintage 1970s Italian Bohemian Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
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1990s Central American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Plywood
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wicker, Cane, Bentwood
Antique 19th Century Victorian Rocking Chairs
Cane, Chestnut
Mid-20th Century Victorian Rocking Chairs
Bamboo, Cane, Bentwood
Antique Early 19th Century British Chinoiserie Prints
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Early 20th Century American Late Victorian Corner Chairs
Bamboo, Wicker
Antique Early 1900s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Bamboo, Organic Material
Antique 1860s French Chinoiserie Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo, Cane
Antique Late 19th Century European Vienna Secession Side Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1980s Italian Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Armchairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century European Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Vintage 1920s Austrian Victorian Rocking Chairs
Upholstery, Bamboo
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Antique 1870s Austrian Art Nouveau Toys and Dolls
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Ash
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Rocking Chairs
Bentwood, Cane
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane
Vintage 1970s Organic Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Czech Rocking Chairs
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Beech
Mid-20th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Antique 19th Century Austrian Chairs
Wood, Cane
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Chrome
Early 20th Century Rocking Chairs
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Late 20th Century American Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Cane, Beech
20th Century Czech Bauhaus Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Ash, Cane
Early 20th Century Austrian Modern Rocking Chairs
Wicker
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Chrome
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Early 20th Century Italian Rocking Chairs
Cane
Vintage 1950s Austrian Rocking Chairs
Beech, Cane
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, 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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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
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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.
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.
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.