Antic Chair
20th Century European Louis XIII Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century European Louis XIII Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Chairs
Wood, Silk, Lacquer
Antique 1870s French Renaissance Revival Furniture
Marble, Bronze
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Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Murano Glass
Antique 1830s American American Empire Bookcases
Brass, Iron
Antique Late 19th Century French Animal Sculptures
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
Murano Glass
Antique Early 1900s Spanish Rococo Paintings
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Vitrines
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
Murano Glass
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Inkwells
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century Bookcases
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Secretaires
Birch
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Canapes
Tapestry, Giltwood
Antique 18th Century German Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Gold
Mid-20th Century Post-War Abstract Paintings
Cotton, Acrylic, Board
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20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Natural Fiber
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet
2010s European Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Foam
1990s Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Vintage 1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Teak
Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet
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.
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