Antique Chairs Wooden With Nailed Leather Seat
Antique Late 19th Century American Louis XIII Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Oak
2010s English Victorian Armchairs
Leather
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Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
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Antique Late 18th Century Italian Religious Items
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century English Chesterfield Living Room Sets
Leather
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis XIII Dining Room Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Night Stands
Wood, Paint
20th Century Italian Art Deco Chaise Longues
Leather
Early 2000s French Animal Sculptures
Stone
20th Century English Regency Club Chairs
Leather
Antique 1860s English Victorian Chaise Longues
Leather
Late 20th Century French Delft and Faience
Faience
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Marble
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1940s French Industrial Club Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian William IV Armchairs
Leather
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Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs
Leather, Faux Bamboo
Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
2010s Italian Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Beech, Leather
Early 20th Century English Wingback Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century Biedermeier Armchairs
Leather, Birch
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
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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