Antique Invalid Chair
1850s English Antique Invalid Chair
Brass
19th Century English Antique Invalid Chair
Metal
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Invalid Chair
Bronze, Steel
1870s Romantic Antique Invalid Chair
Etching
1830s English William IV Antique Invalid Chair
Brass
1870s English Antique Invalid Chair
Recent Sales
19th Century French Empire Antique Invalid Chair
Brass
19th Century English Antique Invalid Chair
Brass
Late 19th Century American Campaign Antique Invalid Chair
Iron
19th Century Antique Invalid Chair
Iron
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Invalid Chair
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Invalid Chair
Wicker, Rattan
19th Century British Antique Invalid Chair
19th Century British Antique Invalid Chair
19th Century English Antique Invalid Chair
Satinwood
19th Century English Antique Invalid Chair
Satinwood
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Invalid Chair
Leather, Oak
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Invalid Chair
Leather, Oak
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Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Invalid Chair
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Wood
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Wood, Giltwood
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Wrought Iron
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Metal
1860s Antique Invalid Chair
Canvas, Oil
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Metal
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Walnut
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Invalid Chair
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
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Leather, Mahogany
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Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble
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Glass, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Invalid Chair
Wood
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Wood, Pine
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.
- What is an antique Bergère chair?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An antique Bergère chair is a Victorian-era French armchair, often with upholstered armrests and a removable seat cushion. The curved back of this chair would be crafted with wicker. Shop a collection of Bergère chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Bergere chairs are a type of upholstered French armchair that have an enclosed design. They’re designed for lounging comfortably and usually feature deep, wide seats. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique Bergere chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024To tell how old an antique chair is, you have a few options. One is to conduct research on your own using trusted online resources and print references from your local library. If your chair has a maker's mark, learning more about the company, artisan or workshop that produced it can be a good starting point. Dating unmarked chairs can be more difficult because certain styles remained in production for long periods. In this case, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your chair for you. Shop a wide range of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024To tell if a dining chair is antique, first look for markings that can help you identify the maker. You will normally find these under the seat. By using information published on trusted online resources, you can research the markings to learn who made the chair and when the maker was active. Any dining chair made 100 years ago or earlier is an antique. Another way to identify antique chairs is to examine their details closely. Most antique dining chairs are handmade, so you can expect to see subtle tool markings and slight irregularities. A lack of these characteristics may indicate that a dining chair is machine-made and less likely to be an antique. For assistance with dating your dining chairs, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique dining chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024To find out what your antique chair is worth, you can conduct research using trusted online resources. Specifically, study the sales history for pieces similar to yours in terms of maker, age, style and type. Because the condition of your chair will also impact its value, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer inspect and evaluate your piece. Find a collection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024To tell if your rocking chair is an antique, search the back, rockers and the underside of the seat for a label, stamp or other marking. If you locate one, conduct online research using trusted resources to learn about the maker. By finding out when the manufacturer produced chairs similar to yours, you may be able to determine if your chair is at least 100 years old, making it an antique. If you cannot find a maker's mark, consider contacting a certified appraiser or antique dealer and asking them to date your piece for you. Explore a range of antique rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Depending on the quality, age, and model, Koken vintage barber chairs can sell for $500 to $6000. Older chairs will often have a higher value.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021There is no universal guideline for determining the value of antique high chairs. Typically, high chairs can cost anywhere between $50 and $500. The price of a high chair is determined by the condition of the chair, its construction, whether or not all parts are intact and its desirability.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood. Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.
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