Antique Channel Back Sofa
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Channel Back Sofa
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Channel Back Sofa
Tapestry, Beech, Paint
1920s French Art Deco Antique Channel Back Sofa
Fabric, Wood
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Channel Back Sofa
Brass, Metal, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Antique Channel Back Sofa
Textile
17th Century French Antique Channel Back Sofa
Softwood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Antique Channel Back Sofa
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Antique Channel Back Sofa
Textile, Wood
Early 18th Century French Baroque Antique Channel Back Sofa
Silk, Wool
19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Antique Channel Back Sofa
Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Channel Back Sofa
Brass, Bronze, Iron
1930s French Art Deco Antique Channel Back Sofa
Velvet, Beech
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Antique Channel Back Sofa
Sheepskin, Beech
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Channel Back Sofa
Fabric, Giltwood
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Channel Back Sofa
Leather
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Channel Back Sofa
Glass, Wood, Oak
1950s English Renaissance Antique Channel Back Sofa
Oak
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Channel Back Sofa
Iron
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Channel Back Sofa
Crystal, Silver
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Channel Back Sofa
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Channel Back Sofa
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Channel Back Sofa
Cane
1920s Spanish Art Deco Antique Channel Back Sofa
Late 17th Century European William and Mary Antique Channel Back Sofa
Oak
Early 20th Century Danish Antique Channel Back Sofa
Mohair, Beech
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Antique Channel Back Sofa
Mohair, Beech
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Channel Back Sofa
Fabric, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Channel Back Sofa
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Antique Channel Back Sofa
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Channel Back Sofa
Linen, Beech
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Channel Back Sofa
Linen, Beech
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Channel Back Sofa
Tapestry, Pine, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Channel Back Sofa
Tapestry
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Channel Back Sofa
Tapestry
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Channel Back Sofa
Pine
Early 20th Century Antique Channel Back Sofa
Mohair, Beech
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Channel Back Sofa
Wood
1770s Swedish Gustavian Antique Channel Back Sofa
Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Channel Back Sofa
Other
1820s English George IV Antique Channel Back Sofa
19th Century Antique Channel Back Sofa
Early 20th Century Danish Antique Channel Back Sofa
Velvet
19th Century American Federal Antique Channel Back Sofa
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Antique Channel Back Sofa
18th Century and Earlier Russian Antique Channel Back Sofa
Giltwood
Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Channel Back Sofa
Damask, Beech
Early 20th Century French Antique Channel Back Sofa
Wood, Upholstery
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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After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.