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Antique Biedermeier Sofas

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Mahogany sofa in the Biedermeier style, 19th century.
Mahogany sofa in the Biedermeier style, 19th century.

Mahogany sofa in the Biedermeier style, 19th century.

Located in Chorzów, PL

The mahogany sofa comes from Western Europe from the 19th century. Biedermeier style sofa. The

Category

19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Biedermeier Birch Scroll Arm Sofa
19th Century Biedermeier Birch Scroll Arm Sofa

19th Century Biedermeier Birch Scroll Arm Sofa

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Here we have a top quality sofa in restored condition, circa 1850. Large in proportions with roll

Category

Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Birch

Swedish Biedermeier Carved Three-Seat Sofa Couch Settle Settee, Late 1800s
Swedish Biedermeier Carved Three-Seat Sofa Couch Settle Settee, Late 1800s

Swedish Biedermeier Carved Three-Seat Sofa Couch Settle Settee, Late 1800s

Located in Lewes, England

Lovely antique Swedish Biedermeier carved three-four-seat sofa in Classic darker mahogany colour

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Wood

Swedish Biedermeier Carved Three-Seat Sofa Couch Settle Settee, Late 1800s
Swedish Biedermeier Carved Three-Seat Sofa Couch Settle Settee, Late 1800s

Swedish Biedermeier Carved Three-Seat Sofa Couch Settle Settee, Late 1800s

Located in Lewes, England

Lovely antique Swedish Biedermeier carved three-four-seat sofa in Classic darker mahogany colour

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Cherrywood Biedermeier Pedestal Sofa Table
19th Century Swedish Cherrywood Biedermeier Pedestal Sofa Table

19th Century Swedish Cherrywood Biedermeier Pedestal Sofa Table

Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL

This is a sophisticated cherrywood Biedermeier pedestal sofa table. The top has drop leaves over a

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Cherry

Biedermeier Upholstered Sofa in Mahogany, Denmark, c. 1840
Biedermeier Upholstered Sofa in Mahogany, Denmark, c. 1840

Biedermeier Upholstered Sofa in Mahogany, Denmark, c. 1840

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

Biedermeier upholstered mahogany "sleigh form" sofa with splayed feet. Danish with a North German

Category

19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Muslin, Mahogany

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Cherrywood Sofa from Germany
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Cherrywood Sofa from Germany

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Cherrywood Sofa from Germany

Located in Darmstadt, DE

The sofa comes from the Biedermeier period and was made of cherrywood. The sofa was newly

Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Spruce, Cherry

Swedish Biedermeier Carved Three-Seat Sofa Couch Settle Setee, Late 1800s A
Swedish Biedermeier Carved Three-Seat Sofa Couch Settle Setee, Late 1800s A

Swedish Biedermeier Carved Three-Seat Sofa Couch Settle Setee, Late 1800s A

Located in Lewes, England

Lovely antique Swedish Biedermeier carved three-four-seat sofa in Classic darker French polish

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Wood

New ! Antique Biedermeier Mahogany Sofa after Renovation, circa 1840
New ! Antique Biedermeier Mahogany Sofa after Renovation, circa 1840

New ! Antique Biedermeier Mahogany Sofa after Renovation, circa 1840

Located in Chorzów, PL

Biedermeier style sofa after the complex process of wood and upholstery renovation. This unique

Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of 19th Century Karl Johan Biedermeier Elm Sofas
Pair of 19th Century Karl Johan Biedermeier Elm Sofas

Pair of 19th Century Karl Johan Biedermeier Elm Sofas

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Beautiful pair of Swedish Biedermeier elm sofas, circa 1840. Rare to find such a pair of sofas

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Stunning 19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Inlaid Scroll Arm Sofa
Stunning 19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Inlaid Scroll Arm Sofa

Stunning 19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Inlaid Scroll Arm Sofa

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Beautiful shaped period sofa circa 1820 german Biedermeier, featuring scrolled arms. Satinwood

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th Century Biedermeier Style Carved Fruitwood Italian Sofa
Early 20th Century Biedermeier Style Carved Fruitwood Italian Sofa

Early 20th Century Biedermeier Style Carved Fruitwood Italian Sofa

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is an early 20th century carved fruitwood Biedermeier style Italian sofa. The cushion is down

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Fruitwood, Down

Swedish Empire Biedermeier Birch Sofa
Swedish Empire Biedermeier Birch Sofa

Swedish Empire Biedermeier Birch Sofa

Located in Atlanta, GA

Unusually striking hand-crafted golden flame birch sofa with ebonized ball finials and brass ormolu

Category

19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Early 20th Century Biedermeier Style Carved Fruitwood Italian Sofa
Early 20th Century Biedermeier Style Carved Fruitwood Italian Sofa

Early 20th Century Biedermeier Style Carved Fruitwood Italian Sofa

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is an early 20th century carved fruitwood Biedermeier style Italian sofa. The cushion is down

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Fruitwood, Down

Danish 19th Century Biedermeier Cuban Mahogany Hetch Swan Sofa
Danish 19th Century Biedermeier Cuban Mahogany Hetch Swan Sofa

Danish 19th Century Biedermeier Cuban Mahogany Hetch Swan Sofa

Located in Kastrup, DK

Decorative and elegant Hetch Swan sofa in mahogany with fine details in the shape of swans on the

Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Lounge Sofa
19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Lounge Sofa

19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Lounge Sofa

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19TH CENTURY BIEDERMEIER MAHOGANY LOUNGE SOFA LARGE AND VERY COMFORTABLE SOFA IN COMPLEMENTORY

Category

19th Century English Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Mahogany Sofa, Biedermeier Style, 19th Century
Vintage Mahogany Sofa, Biedermeier Style, 19th Century

Vintage Mahogany Sofa, Biedermeier Style, 19th Century

Located in Roma, IT

. This ancient sofa is in Biedermeier style, and it is made of mahogany wood with upholstery in mahogany

Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish Karl Johan (Biedermeier) Revival Settee Sofa
Swedish Karl Johan (Biedermeier) Revival Settee Sofa

Swedish Karl Johan (Biedermeier) Revival Settee Sofa

Located in Atlanta, GA

Unusual Karl Johan (Biedermeier) Revival Sofa with side cabinets and shelves on dark birch fluted

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Sofas

*SALE*  Swedish Empire Revival Biedermeier Crotch Mahogany Sofa
*SALE*  Swedish Empire Revival Biedermeier Crotch Mahogany Sofa

*SALE* Swedish Empire Revival Biedermeier Crotch Mahogany Sofa

Located in Atlanta, GA

Crotch mahogany sofa newly upholstered in golden tan velvet fabric. Birch string inlay. Golden

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Rare Antique 8ft Biedermeier Satin Birch Sofa c.1830
Rare Antique 8ft Biedermeier Satin Birch Sofa c.1830

Rare Antique 8ft Biedermeier Satin Birch Sofa c.1830

Located in London, GB

This is a beautiful antique Biedermeier satinbirch and ebonised sofa, c.1830 in date. The

Category

19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Yellow Birch Sofa Settee
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Yellow Birch Sofa Settee

Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Yellow Birch Sofa Settee

Located in Round Top, TX

Drama and elegance combine in this lovely example of Swedish Biedermeier craftsmanship. This

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Wood, Birch

Biedermeier Birchsofawith Removable Back
Biedermeier Birchsofawith Removable Back

Biedermeier Birchsofawith Removable Back

Located in Bridgeport, CT

This beautiful sofa features satinwood, fruitwood and ebony inlays, which beautifully frame its

Category

1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Benches, Biedermeier, Germany, 1840
Benches, Biedermeier, Germany, 1840

Benches, Biedermeier, Germany, 1840

Located in Greding, DE

A courtly pair of Biedermeier benches with intricate carvings, half round armrests and pillars on

Category

1840s German Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Striped Biedermeier Settee, Sweden, circa 1830
Striped Biedermeier Settee, Sweden, circa 1830

Striped Biedermeier Settee, Sweden, circa 1830

Located in London, GB

The Biedermeier period in Sweden started circa 1830 when Charles XIV John, a Frenchman, ascended to

Category

19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Fruitwood

Second Biedermeyer Swedish Sofa
Second Biedermeyer Swedish Sofa

Second Biedermeyer Swedish Sofa

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Biedermeyer sofa, having a frame of bird's eye maple frame, rolled arms, upholstered, with nail

Category

19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Interwar Sofa, Northern Europe
Interwar Sofa, Northern Europe

Interwar Sofa, Northern Europe

Located in Chorzów, PL

nterwar sofa, Northern Europe. Very good condition, after professional renovation and

Category

1910s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Biedermeier Folding Table, Northern Europe, circa 1860
Biedermeier Folding Table, Northern Europe, circa 1860

Biedermeier Folding Table, Northern Europe, circa 1860

Located in Chorzów, PL

Biedermeier clapper table, Northern Europe, circa 1860. Very good condition. After renovation

Category

1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, Around 1860
Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, Around 1860

Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, Around 1860

Located in Chorzów, PL

A massive Biedermeier style sofa made in the mid-19th century. Upholstered in a pleasant plush

Category

1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1890

Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1890

Located in Chorzów, PL

Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1890. Very good condition, after professional renovation and

Category

1890s Norwegian Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Unique Biedermeier Salon Set, Northern Europe, circa 1850
Unique Biedermeier Salon Set, Northern Europe, circa 1850

Unique Biedermeier Salon Set, Northern Europe, circa 1850

Located in Chorzów, PL

Unique Biedermeier salon set consisting of sofa and two armchairs. This furniture were made in

Category

1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany, Velvet

19th Century Italian Fruitwood Sofa
19th Century Italian Fruitwood Sofa

19th Century Italian Fruitwood Sofa

Located in Hudson, NY

Great design, full of grace and presence. This large sofa, made in Italy, 1st half of the 19th

Category

19th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900
Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900

Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique sofa from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The furniture is currently under

Category

Early 1900s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Swedish Birch Sofa Table
19th Century Swedish Birch Sofa Table

19th Century Swedish Birch Sofa Table

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Birch sofa occasional table circa 1890. 2 drawers to front, inlaid top with stringing. Standing

Category

Late 19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Birch

Sofa and Armchair, Italy circa 1830
Sofa and Armchair, Italy circa 1830

Sofa and Armchair, Italy circa 1830

Located in Greding, DE

An elegant seating ensemble comprising a sofa with a curved backrest and a matching armchair (86 x

Category

1830s Italian Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, Late 19th Century
Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, Late 19th Century

Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, Late 19th Century

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique sofa from around 1890. The furniture is currently under renovation. It is possible to

Category

1890s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Mahogany Black Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1850
Mahogany Black Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1850

Mahogany Black Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1850

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique sofa from the circa 1850. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation

Category

1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900, Renovated
Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900, Renovated

Antique Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900, Renovated

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique sofa from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition, after professional

Category

Early 20th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Sofa, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.
Sofa, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.

Sofa, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique sofa from around 1890. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation

Category

1890s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Late 19th Century Century Carved Birch Sofa
Swedish Late 19th Century Century Carved Birch Sofa

Swedish Late 19th Century Century Carved Birch Sofa

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Swedish late 19th century century carved birch sofa circa 1890. Good quality sofa very much in

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Birch

Beautiful 19th Century Swedish Carved Birch Sofa
Beautiful 19th Century Swedish Carved Birch Sofa

Beautiful 19th Century Swedish Carved Birch Sofa

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Excellent quality birch sofa, circa 1850. One of the best roll top arm sofas we have had in stock

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Birch

Antique sofa, Northern Europe, the 19th centuries.
Antique sofa, Northern Europe, the 19th centuries.

Antique sofa, Northern Europe, the 19th centuries.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Impressive, antique furniture with a beautiful form will add elegance to any interior. A sofa with

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut, Fabric

Antique mahogany sofa from Northern Europe, around 1880.
Antique mahogany sofa from Northern Europe, around 1880.

Antique mahogany sofa from Northern Europe, around 1880.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique mahogany sofa from Northern Europe, around 1880. Very good condition, after professional

Category

1880s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Art Nouveau Rectangular CherryWood Austrian Sofa Table, 1900
Art Nouveau Rectangular CherryWood Austrian Sofa Table, 1900

Art Nouveau Rectangular CherryWood Austrian Sofa Table, 1900

Located in Roma, Lazio

Art Nouveau sofa table, from the rich and elaborate forms. Completely veneered in cherrywood, with

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Cherry

Antique Sofa from Around 1900, Northern Europe, After Renovation
Antique Sofa from Around 1900, Northern Europe, After Renovation

Antique Sofa from Around 1900, Northern Europe, After Renovation

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique sofa from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, coming from Scandinavia. Furniture in

Category

Early 1900s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Antique sofa, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.
Antique sofa, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.

Antique sofa, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique sofa from around 1880. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional

Category

1890s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Antique mahogany sofa from Northern Europe, around 1850.
Antique mahogany sofa from Northern Europe, around 1850.

Antique mahogany sofa from Northern Europe, around 1850.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique mahogany sofa from Northern Europe, around 1880. Very good condition, after professional

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Swedish Biedermeier Upholstered Divan or Meridienne in Birch,  c. 1820
Swedish Biedermeier Upholstered Divan or Meridienne in Birch,  c. 1820

Swedish Biedermeier Upholstered Divan or Meridienne in Birch, c. 1820

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

Swedish Biedermeier Divan or Meridienne in Birch, c. 1820. Exquisite form and proportions

Category

19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Birch, Upholstery, Muslin

Antique sofa from the mid-19th century, Northern Europe.
Antique sofa from the mid-19th century, Northern Europe.

Antique sofa from the mid-19th century, Northern Europe.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique sofa from around 1860, Northern Europe. The furniture is in very good condition

Category

1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Sofa/Couch from the Early 20th Century
Sofa/Couch from the Early 20th Century

Sofa/Couch from the Early 20th Century

Located in Opole, PL

We present you a triple mahogany sofa in the Biedermeier type. All is dated Q1 of the 20th century

Category

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

An old sofa in an eclectic style, Western Europe. After renovation.
An old sofa in an eclectic style, Western Europe. After renovation.

An old sofa in an eclectic style, Western Europe. After renovation.

Located in Chorzów, PL

An old sofa in an eclectic style. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional

Category

1870s French Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Empire Sofa, Cherry Veneer, Full Columns, Horse Hair, Germany circa 1815
Empire Sofa, Cherry Veneer, Full Columns, Horse Hair, Germany circa 1815

Empire Sofa, Cherry Veneer, Full Columns, Horse Hair, Germany circa 1815

Located in Regensburg, DE

Very elegant Empire Sofa / Settee, Cherry Veneer, Full Columns, Horse Hair, Germany around 1815

Category

1810s German Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Gold Plate

Continental Maple Upholstered Sofa
Continental Maple Upholstered Sofa

Continental Maple Upholstered Sofa

Located in Sheffield, MA

, neoclassical sofa, classical sofa, biedermeier style sofa, empire style sofa.

Category

19th Century Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Maple

Biedermeier Library Table with Ebonized & Gilt Accents, c. 1830
Biedermeier Library Table with Ebonized & Gilt Accents, c. 1830

Biedermeier Library Table with Ebonized & Gilt Accents, c. 1830

Located in Atlanta, GA

An Austrian Biedermeier Library table in Birch with Ebonized and Gilt accents, the table with 2

Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Swedish Karl Johan Style Sofa Bench from the Mid-19th Century
Swedish Karl Johan Style Sofa Bench from the Mid-19th Century

Swedish Karl Johan Style Sofa Bench from the Mid-19th Century

Located in Atlanta, GA

seat has been newly upholstered in a neutral Belgian linen. This Karl Johan Biedermeier style sofa

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

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Antique Biedermeier Sofas For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of antique biedermeier sofas for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique biedermeier sofas was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, fabric and mahogany. Antique biedermeier sofas have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. There have been many well-made antique biedermeier sofas over the years, but those made by Biedermeier are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Antique Biedermeier Sofas?

Antique biedermeier sofas can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $4,483, while the lowest priced sells for $1,044 and the highest can go for as much as $12,500.

A Close Look at Biedermeier Furniture

The authentic Biedermeier furniture on 1stDibs is representative of the first modern European decorative style not dictated by the tastes of the aristocracy. Following the Napoleonic wars, a growing, wealthy urban middle class in the German-speaking states of Central Europe began to demand rights and privileges once granted only to nobles. To avoid trouble, the upwardly striving confined their political discussions to one another’s homes. And so the salon was born.

Cabinetmakers in cities such as Vienna, Berlin and Mainz began to offer goods that reflected the tastes and needs of the new class. The makers of Biedermeier chairs, tables and other furniture used little or no gilding, silver hardware or other lavish ornament. Ebonized trims are common on Biedermeier cabinetry, and neoclassical elements — lyre-shaped chair splats, carved scrollwork, table supports shaped like Greek columns. But the strongest aesthetic statement came from the wood — richly-grained, honey-colored, often book-matched veneers of walnut and fruitwood.

There are two iconic Biedermeier furniture forms, both made to outfit rooms designed for conversation. One is the sofa, deeply upholstered with a strong, architectural wooden frame. The second is the circular pedestal table, which stood at the center of the room, offering a surface on which to place coffee and cake services; or to roll out a map, or sketch out ideas on paper.

“Biedermeier” was originally a derogatory term — it derives from the pen names of two German magazine writers who mocked bourgeois manners. Looking at the elegant and refined antique, new and vintage Biedermeier furniture offered on 1stDibs, that is now an amusing irony.

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.