Midcentury Dutch Plywood Chair, the Netherlands, 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
In the 1940s, this model was known as a UKG (ultra-short wave) chair, as it was used in facilities where high frequency electrotherapeutic treatments were available.
Bouclé, Plywood
Ilmari Tapiovaara, "Domus" Lounge Chair, Plywood, Finland, 1940s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in High Point, NC
A moulded plywood "Domus" lounge chair designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and produced by Keravan Puuteollisuus, Finland, 1940s.
Plywood
Set 4 TOLEDO Plywood and Steel Industrial Dining Chairs / c.1940S
By Toledo Metal Furniture Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Great Set of 4 matching Plywood and Steel Industrial Dining Chairs / c.1940S: Manufactured by the Toledo Metal Furniture Co.
Steel
Thonet Bentwood Bistro Chair, Czechoslovakia 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage chair designed by Thonet. Bentwood details and construction makes this piece a timeless item. Plywood seat and backrest. Strong oak wood. The chair was completely r...
Bentwood, Plywood
$397Sale Price|20% Off
Thonet Bentwood Bistro Chair, Czechoslovakia 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage chair designed by Thonet. Bentwood details and construction makes this piece a timeless item. Plywood seat and backrest. Strong oak wood. The chair was partially re...
Oak, Bentwood, Plywood
Bentwood Chair By Thonet, Czechoslovakia 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful and fully restored vintage bentwood chair produced in Czechoslovakia by Thonet company in 1940s.
Bentwood, Plywood
$302Sale Price / item|20% Off
Art Deco Oak Wood Dining Chair by Frenstat, Czechoslovakia, 1940s
Located in Zohor, SK
Original oak wood dining chair. Produced in Czechoslovakia in 1940s. Original label still attached. Produced by Frenstat, this was an original company which produced items for the st...
Oak, Plywood
1940s Pair of Early Charles Eames for Herman Miller LCW Lounge Chairs in Oak
By Evans Products Company, Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the late 1940s by Charles Eames, this chair has cemented itself in Mid-Century Design like very few other pieces.
Plywood
1940s Pair of Early Charles Eames for Herman Miller Lcw Lounge Chairs in Birch
By Evans Products Company, Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the late 1940s by Charles Eames, this chair has cemented itself in Mid-Century Design like very few other pieces.
Rubber, Wood, Plywood
Early LCW Lounge Chair, Charles & Ray Eames, Herman Miller Evans Products 1940s
By Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Evans Products Company
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Early LCW (Lounge Chair Wood) designed by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured by Evans Products Company for Herman Miller, United States, circa 1947–1949. An authentic early-prod...
Plywood, Birch
Vintage 1st Generation Black LCW Lounge Chair by Charles Eames for Evans 1940s
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Troy, MI
1st generation LCW lounge chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames Produced by Evans Plywood Products circa 1948-49 Molded Ash plywood in black finish Remarkable condition with 5-2-5...
Ash, Plywood
Decorative sculptural French off-white plywood accent chair, 1940s
Located in Antwerp, BE
A striking sculptural piece sourced in France, dating from the 1940s. Formed from bent plywood and finished in a soft off-white paint, this minimalist object beautifully captures the...
Plywood
Mid-Century Cinema Armchair by TON (Thonet), Czech Republic, 1940s–50s
Located in Żory, PL
Vintage cinema chair manufactured by TON (formerly Thonet) in Czechoslovakia, dating from the 1940s–1950s. Preserved in solid original condition, with an attractive natural patina th...
Beech, Plywood
Mid-Century Cinema Armchair by TON (Thonet), Czech Republic, 1940s–50s
Located in Żory, PL
Vintage cinema chair manufactured by TON (formerly Thonet) in Czechoslovakia, dating from the 1940s–1950s. Preserved in solid original condition, with an attractive natural patina th...
Beech, Plywood
Mid-Century Cinema Armchair by TON (Thonet), Czech Republic, 1940s–50s
Located in Żory, PL
Vintage cinema chair manufactured by TON (formerly Thonet) in Czechoslovakia, dating from the 1940s–1950s. Preserved in solid original condition, with an attractive natural patina th...
Beech, Plywood
Mid-Century Cinema Armchair by TON (Thonet), Czech Republic, 1940s–50s
Located in Żory, PL
Vintage cinema chair manufactured by TON (formerly Thonet) in Czechoslovakia, dating from the 1940s–1950s. Preserved in solid original condition, with an attractive natural patina th...
Beech, Plywood
Experimental 1940's Chair
By W. Knudson
Located in New York, NY
Experimental 1940's chair, executed by W. Knudson, plywood frame with green rope seat and back, hand-signed "W.
Plywood, Rope
Unavailable
H 26.38 in W 22.05 in D 24.41 in
Rare 1940s Ash Plywood and Fabric LCW Chair by Charles & Ray Eames "G"
By Evans Products Company, George Nelson, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
LCW Chair, plywood in ash, original fabric, Charles & Ray Eames, USA, 1948. Early example of a LCW chair by famous Charles & Ray Eames. The unusual organic shape of this object sh...
Plywood, Fabric, Ash
Unavailable
H 30.71 in W 26.38 in D 23.63 in
Pair of plywood Lounge Armchairs by Han Pieck Made by Lawo, Netherlands, 1940s
By Han Pieck
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Offerd by Zitzo, Amsterdam: Ingenious design that utilizes a single piece of plywood to create the arms, legs, and seat of the chair. These lounge chairs are stackable. Approximately...
Copper
Unavailable
H 31.89 in W 16.54 in D 21.26 in
Cantilever Chair by Bigla Switzerland 1940s Olive Green with Stamp Signature
By BIGLA
Located in Zürich, Zürich
Original cantilever chair by Bigla Switzerland, 1940s, with stamp signature on seat bottom.
Steel
Set of Four 1940s Pre Production Eames DCW Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Oakland, CA
Own a piece of design history with this rare set of 1st generation pre production Eames DCW chairs in Calico Ash, produced by Evans. One chair retains all original shock mounts with ...
Ash, Plywood
Unavailable
H 38.98 in W 78.35 in D 21.26 in
Industrial and Foldable Cinema Chairs by Luterma Estonia, circa 1940s
By Luterma
Located in Schagen, NL
This Industrial bench was made from wood or plywood. It features elegant imprinting’s on the seating’s which are adjusted to the frame with nails. This bench is in good and completel...
Wood, Plywood
Evans Plywood Chair DCW By Charles Eames 1940s
By Charles Eames
Located in Dallas, TX
This is an excellent early example DCW Molded Plywood Chair designed by Charles Eames manufactured by Evans. Chair is in good condition and retains the early Evans/Eames/Herman Mille...
Plywood, Rubber
Pair of 1940s Birch Plywood Chairs Attributed to Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Pair of 1940s birch plywood chairs believed to be designed by Thonet.
Beech, Birch, Plywood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 20.48 in D 25.99 in
Group of Six Chairs Plywood Metal Plastic Wood, Italy, 1930s-1940s
Located in Milano, IT
Group of six chairs, chromed meal tubular, plywood and plastic material, lacquered wood armrests.
Metal
1940s Ray Komai for J.G. Furniture Company Bent Walnut Plywood Chair
By J.G. Furniture Company, Ray Komai
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Created out of a single piece of molded plywood is this side chair designed by Ray Komai for J.G. Furniture in 1949. After his interment from Manzanar, Komai went to Brooklyn and sta...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 33 in W 15 in D 18.5 in
Set of Four Thonet 1216-S17-B1 Bent Plywood Saddle Seat Dining Chairs, 1940s
By Michael Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of four vintage Thonet 1216-S17-B1 dining or side chairs. Rendered in steam bent oak plywood, with a beech sculpted saddle seat.
Beech, Plywood
Bruno Mathsson Model 36 Easy Chair 1940's
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Norwich, England
This model dates to the 1940's. The chair was presented in 1937 at the 'Exposition International' in Paris, and in 1939 at the World Exhibition in New York and at the Golden Gate Int...
Birch, Plywood
1940s Thonet 1216-S17-B1 Bent Plywood Dining Chairs Set of 7
By Thonet
Located in Esperance, NY
This exceptional set of early Thonet bent plywood dining chairs dates back to the 1940s. One of the chairs retains its original Thonet tag.
Bentwood
Set of Two Pastoe Irene Chairs by Dirk Braakman, 1940's
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
The chairs are made of solid oak and bent plywood. In our view the original old 'Standard chairs' from Dutch soil.
Birch, Plywood
Jean Prouvé Wooden Standard Chair Prototype, 1940s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A prototype of Standard Chair, one of Jean Prouve's most famous chairs. The design and the materials of Standard Chair changed with the times. All of the parts of this model are ma...
Wood, Plywood
Industrial Factory Chairs by Rowac Bemefa, Circa 1940s
By Rowac
Located in Gloucester, GB
- Height adjustable - Sprung seat - Ply seat and back rest - Designed by Robert Wagner - Produced by Bemefa Rowac - German ~ 1940s - 42cm wide x 47cm deep x 90cm tall - 62cm s...
Plywood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 19.3 in D 21.66 in
Early DCW Dining Chair in Walnut by Charles & Ray Eames for Evans Plywood, 1940s
By Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Evans Products Company
Located in Brussels, Brussels
The DCW (=Dining Chair Wood) chair was designed by Charles and Ray Eames around 1945. This is a first generation chair produced by Evans Molded Plywood Company between 1946 and 19...
Plywood
Sold
H 25.1 in W 22.1 in
Charles & Ray Eames, Rare & Early LCW, Aniline Red Plywood, Cowhide, USA, 1940s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in High Point, NC
A rare and early lounge chair wood (LCW). Designed by Charles and Ray Eames, produced by Herman Miller, late 1940s.
Cowhide, Plywood
1940s Thonet Style Cinema Chair, Beech Wood Folding Seat
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Vintage cinema chair from the 1940s, attributed to Thonet style production.
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Bentwood Thonet No.14 Chair In Vintage Style, Czechoslovakia 1940s
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
This particular piece dates to the 1940s and features a rare molded plywood seat with a delicate floral motif — a detail unique to early productions and no longer found in later mode...
Bentwood, Plywood
Rare 1940s Rocking Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 1940s rocking chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara. This extremely rare and beautiful chair was fabricated in European birch by Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy, Finland, circa the late 1940s. Th...
Birch, Plywood
Rare 1940s Rocking Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 1940s Rocking chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara. This extremely rare and beautiful chair was fabricated in European birch by Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy, Finland, circa the late 1940s. Th...
Birch, Plywood
Rare Pair of 1940s Rocking Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Pair of 1940s Rocking Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara. These extremely rare and beautiful chairs were fabricated in European birch by Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy, Finland, circa the la...
Birch, Plywood
Sold
H 26.78 in W 23.63 in D 24.81 in
Pair of Italian Lounge Chairs by Giuseppe Pagano for Maggioni, c.1940s
By Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig
Located in London, GB
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs by Giuseppe Pagano for Maggioni, circa 1940s.
Plywood
Sold
H 34.65 in W 23.63 in D 24.41 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Domus Lounge Armchair in Birch, Keravan Puuteollisuus 1940s
By Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, FI
The iconic Domus lounge chair was originally designed for the student housing project Domus Academica in Helsinki in 1947. This beautiful early version is stamped with the first pro...
Birch, Plywood
1940s Eames LCW Evans Edition
By Herman Miller, Evans Products Company, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous and rare early Eames LCW. In walnut finish produced by Evans before Herman Miller took over production in 1950. All original screws. Original back mount. Gorgeous patina and...
Walnut, Plywood
Sold
H 26.78 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Early LCW Lounge Chair in Walnut, Charles & Ray Eames Herman Miller 1940s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames, Evans Products Company, Herman Miller
Located in Brussels, Brussels
An early LCW (Lounge Chair Wood) in Walnut veneer. Chair sold by Herman Miller, but produced by Evans Plywood in 1948-1949. The 5-2-5 screw arrangement beneath has only be used by E...
Walnut, Plywood
Sold
H 33.47 in W 18.12 in L 33.47 in
Swedish Orkesterstolen Birch Chairs by Sven Markelius, 1940s, Set of 6
By Sven Markelius
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Set of 6 “Orkesterstolen” stackable chairs, design attributed to Sven Markelius. Manufactured in Sweden during the 1940s.
Birch, Plywood
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.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
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.