Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
Why is it called a chair?
1 Answer

Why the furniture used for seating is called a chair has to do with the history of language. The word comes from the 13th-century English word chaer, which in turn can be traced back to the Latin word cathedra, meaning seat. If that word reminds you of the word cathedral, it's no accident. The word cathedral gets its name from the fact that a cathedral is where the bishop of a parish has his seat. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of chairs.
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
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Shop for Chairs on 1stDibs
20th-C. English Style Ralph Lauren Leather Hepplewhite Wing Chair
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Ralph Lauren leather Hepplewhite style wingback chair. The chair has carved mahogany legs. The leather reads like a sage green with grieve undertones. It does show some age...
Category
Late 20th Century American Hepplewhite Chairs
Materials
Leather, Fruitwood
Alma Upholstered Accent Chair in Faux Mohair Velvet
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Introducing the Alma Accent Chair – a timeless piece crafted for comfort and style. Upholstered in a faux mohair style velvet, the color is our french havane, a warm honey, caramel t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chairs
Materials
Metal
$1,890 / item
Alma Napoleon Style Accent Chair in Velvet
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Introducing the Alma Accent Chair – a timeless piece crafted for comfort and style. Upholstered in a faux mohair style velvet, the color is chestnut, a warm rich chocolate brown.
Res...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Napoleon III Chairs
Materials
Metal
$1,890 / item
19Thc Children's Windsor Chairs in Original Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original Black Painted child's Windsor chairs.These chairs are in fine and sturdy condition.Sold as a pair.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Chairs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Alky Chairs in Off-White Fabric by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort, 1970s
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
A pair of beautiful Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” chairs reupholstered in luxurious off-white wool-cotton blend fabric produced by a highly recognized textile manufacturer Chase Erwin fro...
Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Bouclé
Pair of Lovö Chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The beautiful Lovö Chair is an exceptionally treasured vintage find. Designed in the 1930s by Axel Einar Hjorth as part of his ‘Sportstugemöbler’ (weekend cottage or lodge furniture) collection for Nordiska Kompaniet, the models in the beloved Lovö series are regarded by many as Axel Einar Hjorth's masterpieces. Crafted for the weekend cottages that were gaining popularity in Sweden at the time, each series is lovingly named after a Swedish island.
Crafted from solid stained pine, their rich cherry tone exudes a timeless appeal. The green and blue floral vintage cushions...
Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Chairs
Materials
Pine


