Questions & Answers
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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
Pair of 20th century modernist wood low chairs or stools 1950 french design
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
French hand-made
Pair of 20th century modernist low chairs
Wood low chairs or stools design
Modernist french handmade design
Original very good condition
Seat height 43 cm
Tota...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Swivel Brown and Red Tulip Armchair, Germany, 1970s.
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Vintage 1970s Tulip Chair with Geometric Pattern Upholstery
Retro Mid-Century Modern Plastic Base Accent Chair
This chair is a classic 1970s vintage tulip chair with a plastic base,...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Plastic
$759 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of Two Mid Century Kangaroo Chairs and Table, Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1968
By Ernst Moeckl
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
The z.stuhl chair, designed by Ernst Moeckl (1931-2013) in the 1970s, is a cantilever chair made of polyurethane, which is available with and without armrests. In the vernacular, the...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
$2,853 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of Six Shell Dining Chairs, Brown FR Fabric, by Vintola Studio, Europe
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stabile club seats.
They are contemporary chairs inspired of 1960s style.
They can be used as armchairs and dining chairs.
Chair was designed by Vint...
Category
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Beech
$5,600 Sale Price / set
20% Off
1970s pair of Emmanuelle Peacock Chair
Located in grand Lancy, CH
iconic whitewashed wicker pair of "emmanuelle" fan back wicker chair. This exceptionally designed handwoven chair is a modern re-interpretation of the traditional peacock chair. Desi...
Category
Vintage 1970s European Chairs
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
$5,940 / set
Set of Ten Shell Dining Chairs, Light Beige FR Fabric, by Vintola Studio, Europe
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stabile club seats.
They are contemporary chairs inspired of 1960s style.
They can be used as armchairs and dining chairs.
Chair was designed by Vint...
Category
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Beech
$9,397 Sale Price / set
20% Off