Poul Hundevad was a master craftsman who designed and built furniture in his hometown of Vamdrup, Denmark. He is famed for his adaptable, functionalist creations. Multi-purpose design had become a standard in the Scandinavian modern furniture of the mid-20th century, and Hundevad imbued this approach into many of his creations, such as incorporating fold-down trays into his credenzas and sideboards.

Hundevad was born in Vamdrup in 1917. He trained as a carpenter and for many years, he owned his own workshop and furniture factory. He designed and constructed his own furniture as well as pieces that were manufactured by other designers. He worked alongside such notable furniture creators as Carlo Jensen and Kaj Winding.

Hundevard put a premium on space — the homes of mid-20th-century Denmark were not very big and usually consisted of small rooms with little storage — and so he created many foldable designs that could be stowed easily and kept out of the way when they were not needed.

His fame grew in 1960 when Hundevad introduced the Guldhoj stool. He created it as a replica of a Bronze Age stool excavated from a burial mound near his hometown, keeping the original form and dimensions exact. The Guldhoj is a simple stool, made of teak, oak, beech or ash. It folds out in an X configuration and has an uncomplicated leather seat. It was produced through the early 21st century, the later iterations being reproductions made by one of Hundevard’s employees. Though Hundevard masterfully crafted many inventive and functional designs, he is most remembered for the minimal genius of this mid-century modern folding stool.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Poul Hundevard storage pieces, seating, tables and more.

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.