African Chairs

An assortment of African chairs is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique African chairs was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, animal skin and leather. Find 670 antique and vintage African chairs at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 210 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. African chairs have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of African chairs to choose from, but at 1stDibs, mid-century modern, modern and Scandinavian Modern African chairs are of considerable interest. Large African chairs can prove too imposing for some spaces, so the smaller African chairs available at 1stDibs — each spanning 1.07 inches in width — may make for a better choice. African chairs have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto and Joanina and David Pastoll are consistently popular.

Prices for African chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, African chairs begin at $0 and can go as high as $230,000, while the average can fetch as much as $3,844.

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.