American Colonial Ladder Back
Antique Early 19th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
Antique 1740s American American Colonial Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 18th Century American American Colonial Armchairs
Oak
Antique Late 18th Century American American Colonial Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 18th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs
Maple
Antique Late 18th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 1760s English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
People Also Browsed
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Country Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Rustic Corner Chairs
Wicker, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century American Shaker Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Country Side Chairs
Rush, Wood, Pine
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Walnut
20th Century American Ladders
Metal
Antique Early 1900s American Colonial Children's Furniture
Maple
Antique Early 19th Century English Folk Art Armchairs
Ash
Antique Early 1800s American American Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Pine
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Chairs
Rush, Oak
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Chairs
Cowhide, Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century American American Colonial Armchairs
Ash
Early 20th Century American American Colonial Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Chairs
Ash, Beech
Antique Early 19th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique 18th Century American American Colonial Armchairs
Rush, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Colonial Armchairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Chairs
Rush, Ash
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Oak
Early 20th Century Mission Buffets
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century American American Colonial Armchairs
Oak
Antique 1720s American American Colonial Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American American Colonial Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs
Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century American American Colonial Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Early 20th Century French American Colonial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood, Maple
Antique 1830s American American Colonial Rocking Chairs
Rush, Wood
American Colonial Ladder Back For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an American Colonial Ladder Back?
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.