19th Century Shell Chairs
Antique 19th Century Egyptian Moorish Side Chairs
Shell, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Syrian Moorish Chairs
Bone, Shell, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Syrian Moorish Chairs
Tin
Antique Late 19th Century Egyptian Moorish Corner Chairs
Wood, Shell
Antique Mid-19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Chairs
Cane, Ebony
Antique 19th Century Egyptian Moorish Side Chairs
Shell, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Turkish Moorish Side Chairs
Wood, Shell
Antique 19th Century French Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century British Regency Side Chairs
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Marble
Antique Late 19th Century Chairs
Velvet
Antique 19th Century English Lounge Chairs
Antique Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
Antique 19th Century Portuguese Armchairs
Shell
Antique 19th Century Italian Chairs
Shell
Antique Late 19th Century English Chairs
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century British Regency Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century Northern Irish Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Lounge Chairs
Rosewood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Italian Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century British Palladian Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century Chippendale Side Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Side Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Regency Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Side Chairs
Gold Leaf
Antique Early 19th Century Regency Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Side Chairs
Tortoise Shell
Antique Late 19th Century Moorish Chairs
Bone, Shell, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Irish Georgian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Side Chairs
Mahogany, Satinwood, Wool
Antique Late 19th Century Irish Georgian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Baroque Chairs
Brass, Bronze, Pewter, Ormolu
Antique 1860s French Louis XV Cabinets
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Great Britain (UK) Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Chairs
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Antique 19th Century Italian Side Chairs
Fruitwood
Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Side Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Antique 19th Century Irish Chairs
Antique 19th Century British Regency Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Regency Side Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Side Chairs
Wood, Shell, Paint, Papier Mâché
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Wood
19th Century Shell Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are 19th Century Shell Chairs?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022British artist John Singer Sargent was one of the most important portrait painters of the 19th century. Other notable portraitists from the period include James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Eugène Delacroix, Théodore Géricault, Gustave Courbet, Édouard Manet, Mary Cassat, Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of portrait paintings.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The French painters of the 19th century worked in two styles. Neoclassicism dominated the first half of the century, and Impressionism was the most common style during the second half. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of French paintings.
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