American Ladder Back Chair, c.1800
Located in Savannah, GA
An American three slat ladder back chair with cane seat, circa 1800. 18 ¾ inches wide by 14 ¾ inches deep by 38 ¼ inches tall; seat height 15 ¼ inches
Cane, Wood
Antique Ladder Back Writing Chair with Rush Seat
Located in Freehold, NJ
This antique writing chair features hardwood construction, original dark oak finish, ladder back seat with vintage rush caned seat, and a solid oak writing surface.
Rush, Oak
Early American Ladder Back Maple and Cane Seat Chairs, a Pair, circa 1880s
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair Victorian early American ladder back maple and cane seat chairs, circa 1880s with newer refinishing and recent cane seats.
Cane, Maple
Rustic ladder-back chair with straw seat France early 20th century
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Berlin, DE
French rustic ladder-back chair, early 20th century. Hand-crafted in solid wood with a woven straw seat, this vernacular form exemplifies the rural traditions that later informed mod...
Oak, Cane
Early 19th Century Rare Ladder Back Chairs with Herringbone Seats Set of 6
Located in Louisville, KY
To finish this primitive and smart looking chair, finials finish the top of each stile. The chair's proportions are more unusual than most ladder-backs with lower splat placement on ...
Cane, Wood
19thc Childs Ladder back Chair in Original Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc childs wooden ladder back chair with cane seating. Wonderful dark brown patina color.
Wood
Early 19th Century Child's Chair with Original Rush Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early form strong and very sturdy child's ladder back chair from New England is in fine and worn condition. The rush seat is very strong and sturdy with a fantastic patina.
Wood, Cane
Antique wooden armchair with cane seat, France ca. 1900
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This rustic chair has nice geometric carvings in the ladder back, turned legs and a cane seat.
Cane, Wood
19th Century Antique French Bobbin Rush Corner Chair in Carved Oak
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French Bobbin rush corner chair. French rush-seat corner chair, Coin du Feu. 19th Century French Provincial-style carved oak armchair with open backs and rush seat.
Rush, Oak
19th Century Antique French Bobbin Rush Corner Chair in Carved Oak
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French Bobbin Rush Corner Chair. French rush-seat corner chair, Coin du Feu. 19th Century French Provincial-style carved oak armchair with open backs and rush seat.
Rush, Oak
Early 20th Century French Bentwood and Cane Child Armchair Thonet Style
By Michael Thonet
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1920 in the matter of Michael Thonet, and built of bentwood, the baby chair stands on four curved legs; it features a double rounded ladder back dressed with ...
Cane, Bentwood
H 36.5 in W 21 in D 33 in
Antique Primitive Ladder Back Rocking Chair with Splint Seat Early 19th Century
Located in Tulsa, OK
Beautiful American antique primitive and rustic handmade rocking chair. This chair was made during the early 19th century by hand and features a splint seat with some of the original...
Cane, Wood
Period Shaker Side Chair
By Mt. Lebanon Shaker Community
Located in Woodstock, NY
A single ladder back side chair by The United Society of Believers {The Shakers}.
Wood
H 36 in W 18 in D 18 in
Set 8 Antique French Provincial Carved Oak Ladder Back Dining Chair Cane Seat
Located in Shreveport, LA
Set 8 Antique French Provincial carved oak ladder back dining kitchen chair cane seat. Direct from France, a lovely set of 8 antique French chairs with classic French style.
Cane, Oak
H 44 in W 21 in D 23 in
Early 19th Century South West Ladder High Back Rocking Chair
By Shaker Style
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Early 19th century South West ladder high back rocker chair Great country accent, ladder high back rocking chair.
Maple
H 34.3 in W 16.4 in D 14.8 in
1880s French Wooden Chair
Located in High Point, NC
Step into a bygone era of elegance and charm with our authentic 1880s French Wooden Chair. This exquisite piece of history is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, evident in ...
Wood
H 32.25 in W 17 in D 19 in
Late 19th Century Americana Cane Seat and Ladder Back Chairs, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Excellent condition--both finish and caning. 32.25" tall--floor to top of ladder back; seat is 18" from floor.
Cane, Hardwood
H 36.62 in W 18.51 in D 15.75 in
Set of 8 English 18th Century Style Ladder Back Dining Chairs
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality set of 18th century style ladder back dining chairs, each with a caned seat and turned understructure.
Oak
H 34.26 in W 20.87 in D 21.26 in
English 19th Century Regency Mahogany Library Steps Ladder Metamorphic Armchair
By Morgan & Sanders
Located in Firenze, IT
Cane seat and arched back for plenty of comfort, four steps covered with ocher yellow leather inserts turn this stable and sturdy solid 19th century mahogany armchair into a library ...
Metal
H 38 in W 22 in D 25 in
Ladder Back Shaker Rocking Chair
Located in Summerland, CA
Circa 1870 Mt. Lebanon, NY. Maple with dark black stain, cane seat. Turned arms and four arched slat back.
Maple, Cane
H 37 in W 12 in L 37 in
Late 19th Century Faux Bamboo Child's Chair
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century faux bamboo child's chair with ladder back and cane woven seat.
Wood
H 37.75 in W 20 in D 18.25 in
Set of Six Commodious French Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
A set of six finely crafted dining chairs, the ladder backs arched and rounded. Seats of cane, and wide, over elegantly molded cabriole legs with an "H" stretcher.
Walnut
H 45 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
Set of Eight Antique French Provincial Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of eight 1900s French Provincial-style dining chairs feature a wood frame stained in a walnut color with a lacquered finish. The ornately carved frames feature a ladder-back...
Cane, Wood
H 37.5 in W 18.25 in D 16.5 in
Early 1800’s Three Slat, Pennsylvania Ladder-Back Chair
Located in Louisville, KY
This three-slat ladder-back chair was most likely made in Pennsylvania in the early 1800’s. From the design, artisan verge markings on the legs and shape and characteristics of the f...
Hardwood
H 41 in W 20 in D 18 in
Early 20th Century American Shaker Webbed Seat and Ladder Back Side Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century American Shaker Webbed Seat and Ladder Back Side Chair Measures 20" in width x 41" in height x 18" in depth . Seat height is 17"
Fruitwood, Fabric
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.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.