Aalto Rocking Chair
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Birch
Early 20th Century European Rocking Chairs
Pine, Plywood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Birch
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Stools
Oak
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Chrome
Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Barware
Ceramic
People Also Browsed
2010s French Modern Chairs
Oak
2010s Modern Tables
Hardwood, Oak
2010s American Modern Table Lamps
Steel, Brass, Silver Leaf
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Side Tables
Travertine
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Chrome
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Sheepskin
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Plywood
Antique 19th Century Austrian Rocking Chairs
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Daybeds
Cotton, Oak
Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Birch
Vintage 1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Plywood
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Papercord, Birch, Plywood
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1930s Finnish Organic Modern Armchairs
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Vintage 1940s German Post-Modern Armchairs
Ash, Upholstery
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, 2022A platform rocking chair is a rocking chair constructed to have the rockers on a fixed platform rather than the floor. You’ll find a collection of vintage and contemporary platform rocking chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024What a rocking chair symbolizes is largely a matter of individual interpretation. Some people associate rocking chairs with comfort or relaxation. Because people often sit in the chairs to gently rock babies to sleep, the furniture may also represent parenthood or motherhood. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of rocking chairs.
- What is a Boston rocking chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Boston rocking chair is a wooden rocking chair with a decorative top panel and a seat and arms that curve down towards the front. Find an assortment of rocking chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a Windsor rocking chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A Windsor rocking chair is built for comfort and is usually manufactured in such a way that the seat’s spindles, along with the chair-back and legs, are pushed into holes that have been drilled. This sets this type of chair apart, as the standard construction of a chair sees that the back legs are continuous. The Windsor chair originated in the early 1700s in the English town of Windsor. As mentioned, their bentwood back frames are assembled with slender wooden spindles that are plugged into drill holes in the sculpted seat, which was usually made of elm and slightly sunken or dish-shaped for the sitter’s comfort. Shop a collection of antique and vintage Windsor rocking chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019
A rocking chair helps soothe infants, children, and adults alike. The rocking and swaying movement helps create a meditative and lethargic state.
- How old is the rocking chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024The rocking chair is more than 275 years old. Early models date back to around 1725 and were made by outfitting Windsor chairs with skates. By 1787, rocking chairs were common enough for the word to be added to the English dictionary. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of rocking chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024The Paimio chair, designed by Alvar Aalto, is a type of armchair created in 1932. Also called the Armchair 41, it was intended to help people breathe easier and was designed for a tuberculosis sanatorium in the Finnish city of Paimio. For the chair's frame, Aalto and his wife, Aino, opted to use Finland's native birchwood, which is strong and inexpensive and felt warmer and more organic than the tubular steel found in similarly shaped pieces. Laminated wood loops form the arms, legs and a pair of flat skids, while its sculptural seat and back are built from a single piece of thin plywood. Shop a variety of Alvar Aalto Paimio chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify a Thonet rocking chair, look for the company name. You will normally find it stamped directly onto the underside of the seat, arms or legs. You can find a collection of expertly vetted Thonet rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019
A wooden rocking chair can be cleaned using a sponge, soap, and water. After, you should proceed to pat the rocking chair down with a cloth.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify a Windsor rocking chair, enlist the help of a licensed furniture appraiser. Many convincing distressed reproductions exist due to their popularity and value. An experienced professional can accurately determine if yours is an authentic antique or a replica. Find a range of expertly vetted Windsor rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The cost of a wooden rocking chair varies depending on the type of wood used, its finish and craftsmanship. Also, the period that the rocking chair belongs to will define the price of the chair. An antique rocking chair might cost between $500 and $1,500 while a contemporary rocking chair may cost somewhere between $150 and $400. Find a variety of antique, vintage, and contemporary wooden rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
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