Antique Wing Back Sofa
Vintage 1930s English Sofas
Wood, Leather
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Sofas
Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Revival Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Canapes
Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Chaise Longues
Fabric, Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Wingback Chairs
Wood, Velvet
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Benches
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
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21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Empire Chaise Longues
Wood, Beech, Maple
Antique Early 18th Century French Baroque Western European Rugs
Silk, Wool
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Malachite, Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Daybeds
Cotton, Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century European Louis XV Pedestals and Columns
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Planters and Jardinieres
Ceramic
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century English Regency Daybeds
21st Century and Contemporary British Hepplewhite Console Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Historical Memorabilia
Crystal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Hepplewhite Console Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 1870s Belgian Renaissance Revival Buffets
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Grandfather Clocks and Longca...
Brass, Bronze
Antique 1860s English Victorian Chaise Longues
Leather
Recent Sales
2010s Thai Minimalist Sofa Tables
Brass
2010s Thai Minimalist Sofa Tables
Brass
2010s Thai Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
2010s Thai Brutalist Console Tables
Hardwood, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1960s English Georgian Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century English Georgian Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1910s English Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Sofas
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Sofas
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Sofas
Leather
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Sofas
Cotton, Velvet
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Sofas
Antique Early 1900s French Renaissance Sofa Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century British Settees
Beech
Vintage 1910s American Louis XV Living Room Sets
20th Century American Louis XVI Settees
Antique Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Settees
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century British Armchairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Living Room Sets
Antique 19th Century American Settees
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Empire Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique 1870s Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 1880s English Victorian Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker, Rattan
20th Century American Spanish Colonial Settees
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Federal End Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Sofas
Early 20th Century Great Britain (UK) Edwardian Sofas
Leather, Oak
Antique 1810s American Neoclassical Chaise Longues
Cane, Maple
Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Living Room Sets
Reed
Early 2000s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Cotton
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.
Read More
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This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
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.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.