A finely carved and gilded Louis XVI style sofa
By Georges Jacob
Located in Vancouver, BC
cameo shaped back; recently upholstered in a silk of period design;
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Silk Couch
Giltwood, Silk
A finely carved and gilded Louis XVI style sofa
By Georges Jacob
Located in Vancouver, BC
cameo shaped back; recently upholstered in a silk of period design;
Giltwood, Silk
Sold|$2,137 / set
Pair of Chinese 19th Century Heavily Embroidered Dragon Silk Panels
Located in Antwerp, BE
This stunning pair of Chinese silk panels are hand embroidered using the filled couching technique
Silk
Sold|$950
1920s Chinese Silk Jacket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1920s Chines silk jacket with couched metallic embroidery. Frog closures with brass buttons
Attributed to Georges Jacob circa 1780, Sofa Late 18th Century Louis XVI Period
By Georges Jacob
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
floral silk fabric. Dimensions: Sofa H 36.61 inches, W 54.72 inches, D 27.95 inches. Georges Jacob (6
Fruitwood
Sold|$2,800
Pair of Embroidered Dragon Panels
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of Early 19th Century Chinese couched gold and silk thread embroideries. Mounted on
Silk
17th Century Italian or French Needlework Valance
Located in Sausalito, CA
and flowers. In the background there are two castles. The silk floss thread is couched in vertical
Beautiful 1920s Hollywood Regency Mahogany Sofa, Upholstered in Silk
By Maison Jansen
Located in Westport, CT
A beautiful vintage settee. Solid mahogany. Settee is upholstered in silk. Re-upholstery project
Sold|$3,500
19th Century Duncan Phyfe Sofa
Located in Harrisburg, PA
From a Long Island estate this is an exceptional sofa. Over the years its beautiful mahogany
Silk, Mahogany
Federal Neoclassical New York Sofa, circa 1805
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Alexandria, VA
This rare and beautiful sofa is the finest we have ever offered. It is exceptionally graceful in
Mahogany, Poplar, Silk, Ash, Fabric
French circa 18th Century Louis XVI Style Abousson Canopy Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This French late 18th century Louis XVI style canopy sofa features exceptional hand carved details
Velvet, Feathers, Cotton, Foam, Tapestry, Silk, Wood
Embroidered Chinese Wedding Skirt, Early 20th Century
Located in Yardley, PA
Heavily embroidered wedding skirt and over skirt, two-piece coral silk damask skirt with navy silk
Silk
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.