$73,974
H 36.23 in W 42.13 in D 35.44 in
Märta Blomstedt, Original Aulanko Lounge Chair In Sheepskin & Steel Legs, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Helsinki, FI
One of the 20 original chairs made for the iconic Aulanko Hotel in Hämeenlinna by Märta Blomstedt
Iron
$4,078 / set
H 29.93 in W 27.17 in D 27.56 in
A Pair of Mid-Century Finnish Armchairs in Brown Leather, 1940s
Located in Helsinki, FI
relatively small compared to other larger ones like the Aulanko chair for example, making them easier to move
Birch, Leather
Rare 1930's Side Tables From Hotelli Aulanko, Finland
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Kangasala, FI
hotelli Aulanko is well known for it's interior design, for example the sought after Aulanko chair by
Leather, Birch
Aulanko - lounge chair in lambskin by Märta Blomstedt
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare 'Aulanko' armchair in new lambskin (colour: Moonlight). Designed c. 1939 for the Hotel Aulanko
Lambskin
$45,048
H 49.22 in Dm 27.56 in
Paavo Tynell Sizable Ceiling Lamp from the Iconic Aulanko Hotel, Taito 1938
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, FI
. These lamps along with the Märta Blomstedt "Aulanko Chair" were designed for the hotel and specifically
Metal, Brass
$29,637 / set
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin, Model Aulanko, Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. The chairs are newly refinished an upholstered in sheepskin
Sheepskin, Ash
$32,897
H 34.26 in W 39.38 in D 42.92 in
"Aulanko" Sheepskin Armchair/Lounge Chair by Märta Blomstedt, Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Amazing lounge chair by Märta Blomstedt, designed for the interior of the “Aulanko” hotel in 1939
Sheepskin, Wood
$47,419 / set
H 34.65 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chairs Model Aulanko by Häämenlinna in Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare pair model Aulanko easy chairs by Märta Blomstedt. Produced by Häämenlinna in Finland
Bouclé, Birch
$29,637
H 35.83 in W 39.38 in D 38.59 in
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chair Model Aulanko Produced by Häämenlinna in Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair model Aulanko designed by Märta Blomstedt. Produced by Häämenlinna in Finland
Sheepskin, Beech
$20,746
H 35.44 in W 39.38 in D 37.41 in
Marta Blomstedt Sheepskin Wing Chair for the Aulanko Hotel, Finland, 1930s.
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
Marta Blomstedt Sheepskin Armchair for the Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1930s. In 1936, architects
Sheepskin, Wood
$30,822
H 40.56 in W 38.59 in D 40.16 in
Highback Märta Blomstedt Aulanko Armchair in Honey Natural Sheepskin, 1940s
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Helsinki, FI
A wonderful and rare high back version of the "Aulanko" lounge chair designed by Märta Blomstedt in
Sheepskin, Wood
$25,417
H 33.86 in W 40.95 in D 39.38 in
Large Märta Blomstedt Aulanko Armchair in Moonlight Natural Sheepskin, 1940s
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Helsinki, FI
A wonderful and iconic "Aulanko" lounge chair designed by Märta Blomstedt in the 1930s for the
Sheepskin, Wood
$37,935
H 49.22 in Dm 21.66 in
Paavo Tynell Large Ceiling Lamp from the Iconic Aulanko Hotel, Taito 1938
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Helsinki, FI
. These lamps along with the Märta Blomstedt "Aulanko Chair" were designed for the hotel and specifically
Metal, Brass
$23,709
H 34.26 in W 35.83 in D 35.44 in
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chair Model Aulanko by Häämenlinna, Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Stockholm, SE
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chairs Model Aulanko by Häämenlinna, Finland, 1940s.
Fabric
Large Märta Blomstedt "Aulanko" armchair
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Märta Blomstedt Hotel "Aulanko" lounge chair. Chair is from 1940s and fully reupholstered in warm
Sheepskin, Wood
Unavailable
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin for Hotel Aulanko Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. The chairs are newly refinished an upholstered in sheepskin
Sheepskin
Märta Blomstedt Sheepskin Hotel Aulanko Chair
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Märta Blomstedt Lounge chair, 1939 Rare design by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the
Sheepskin, Beech
Sold
H 35.44 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chair for The Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko Wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by
Sheepskin, Elm
Pair of Danish 1940s Low Back Club Chairs Style of Marta Blomstedt
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
of the same organic stance and shape as Marta Blomstedt famous "Aulanko" chair and has very similar
Wool, Beech
Märta Blomstedt Pair of Hotel Aulanko Sheepskin Chairs
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Märta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko lounge chair, 1939 Rarely seen design by Finnish architect
Sheepskin, Beech
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Wing Chair for Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin, Model Aulanko, Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. The chairs are newly refinished an upholstered in sheepskin
Sheepskin, Ash
Sold
H 33.86 in W 35.44 in L 33.86 in
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chairs Model Aulanko by Häämenlinna in Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare pair model Aulanko easy chairs by Märta Blomstedt. Produced by Häämenlinna in Finland
Bouclé, Birch
Sold
H 34.26 in W 41.74 in L 34.26 in
"Aulanko" Sheepskin Armchair/Lounge Chair by Märta Blomstedt, Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Amazing lounge chair by Märta Blomstedt, designed for the interior of the “Aulanko” hotel in 1939
Sheepskin, Wood
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Pair of Wing Chairs for Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko armchairs, 1939. Rarely seen armchairs designed by Finnish
Sheepskin, Elm
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Pair of Wing Chairs for Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko armchairs, 1939. Rarely seen armchairs designed by Finnish
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 35.44 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chair for The Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko Wing Chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 36.62 in W 44.49 in D 39.38 in
Märta Blomstedt Large Easy Chair Model Aulanko by Häämenlinna in Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare and large easy chair model Aulanko designed by Märta Blomstedt. Produced by Häämenlinna
Sheepskin, Birch
Märta Blomstedt Aulanko Armchair in Sheepskin, 1940s
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Helsinki, FI
A wonderful and iconic "Aulanko" lounge chair designed by Märta Blomstedt in the 1940s for Hotel
Sheepskin, Wood
Märta Blomstedt Aulanko Armchair in Sheepskin, 1940s
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Helsinki, FI
A wonderful and iconic "Aulanko" lounge chair designed by Märta Blomstedt in the 1940s for the
Sheepskin, Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 37.41 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for the Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in L 35.44 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for The Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in L 35.44 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for The Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for the Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko Wing Chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 34.65 in W 41.74 in D 42.52 in
"Aulanko" Armchair by Märta Blomstedt for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1930s
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Utrecht, NL
'Tired Man' wing chair from 1935, the “Aulanko” became world-famous in its own right. Most notable is the
Sheepskin, Wood
Märta Blomstedt, Sofa Designed for Hotel Aulanko, Sheepskin, Birch, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in High Point, NC
A large, organic sofa designed by Märta Blomstedt in 1939 for the lobby of Hotel Aulanko
Sheepskin, Birch
Märta Blomstedt Style Lounge or Club Chair Scandinavia, 1940s
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
famous lounge chair from Hotel Aulanko - really just missing the spherical feet. And this chair has a
Wool, Mahogany
Sheepskin Lounge Chair Designed by Märta Blomstedt
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in New York, NY
An Aulanko lounge chair designed by Marta Blomstedt newly restored and reupholstered in sheepskin
Sheepskin
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Wing Chair for Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939 Rare designed by Finnish architect Marta
Sheepskin, Elm
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Wing Chair for Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by
Sheepskin, Elm
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Wing Chair for Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin, Model Aulanko, Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. The chairs are newly refinished an upholstered in sheepskin
Sheepskin, Ash
Sold
H 35.44 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chair for the Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko Wing chair, c1936. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 35.04 in W 41.74 in D 41.34 in
Märta Blomstedt, Lounge Chair Designed for Hotel Aulanko, Sheepskin, Birch, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in High Point, NC
A large organic lounge chair designed by Märta Blomstedt in 1939 for the lobby of Hotel Aulanko
Sheepskin, Birch
Sold
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for the Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko Wing Chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in L 34.65 in
Marta Blomstedt Easy Chair in Sheepskin for Hotel Aulanko Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Saint Ouen, Île-de-France
Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. The chair is newly refinished an upholstered in curly ivory sheepskin.
Sheepskin
Sold
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin for Hotel Aulanko Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. Price is for the pair. Single chair available on request.
Sheepskin
Sold
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin for Hotel Aulanko Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. Price is for the pair. Single chair available on request.
Sheepskin
Sold
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin for Hotel Aulanko Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. Price is for the pair. Single chair available on request.
Sheepskin
Sold
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin for Hotel Aulanko Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. The chairs are newly refinished an upholstered in sheepskin
Sheepskin
Sold
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin for Hotel Aulanko Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. The chairs are newly refinished an upholstered in sheepskin
Sheepskin
Murano Sputnik Spherical Green Glass and Brass Chandelier
Located in Roma, Lazio
A fantastic emerald green sputnik, with a surprising design and for its very low height, which allows it to fit in both high and low ceilings. Very elegant, it will furnish and decor...
Brass
$20,037 / item
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Giovannetti, 1970s Anfibio Foldable Sofa in Cream Colored Fabric Project, Becchi
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in Casalguidi, IT
The bed-sofa, designed by Alessandro Becchi together with the Giovannetti staff has recently celebrated its 50 years. Its history is full of important events and participations. A p...
Wool, Cotton
Fritz Hansen Pair of Easy Chairs, Model 1669
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pair of Fritz Hansen easy chairs, model 1669, circa 1930s. Sculptural chairs re-upholstered in wool, legs of stained beech. All reupholstery work carried out with filling in organic ...
Sheepskin, Beech
$12,800 / set
H 33.86 in W 35.04 in D 35.44 in
Fritz Hansen, Pair of Danish Modern Lounge Chairs, Lambswool, Model 1490, 1940s
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
An amazing pair of Danish mid-century modern lounge chairs back and seat reupholstered in a high quality dark grey shearling lambswool which adds a soft and tactile texture to the ov...
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Wool, Beech
$15,411 / set
H 37.01 in W 19.69 in D 21.66 in
Scandinavian Modern Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Velvet Sweden 1940s
By OPE
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
A wonderful pair of wingback chairs made in Sweden during the 1940s. The shape and structure together with the wooden armrest give these chairs a sophisticated and modern look. To...
Velvet, Birch
$6,283
H 32.29 in W 24.81 in D 31.89 in
1940s Danish Lounge chair reupholstered in long haired Icelandic sheepskin.
By Fritz Hansen, Magnus Stephensen, Flemming Lassen
Located in København K, 84
1940s Danish easy chair reupholstered in premium long haired Icelandic sheepskin with original kobber springs and historical refinish. A masterpiece from the realm of mid-century Dan...
Sheepskin, Beech
$12,500 / set
H 30.32 in W 32.29 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern Armchairs, Europe Mid-20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
Mid century modern design in Europe was driven by a desire to balance comfort, clarity, and everyday use. Emerging after the Second World War, it favoured honest materials, soft scul...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Danish Cabinetmaker Sheepskin Lounge Chairs c1940s
Located in London, England
Danish Cabinetmaker - Pair of Sheepskin Lounge Chairs, c1940s A cabinetmaker produced pair of lounge chairs dating from c1940s in Denmark with wonderfully curved arms and thick, rou...
Sheepskin, Oak
$17,782
H 31.11 in W 32.68 in D 27.56 in
Fritz Hansen 1669 Armchair, Brown Sheepskin, Denmark 1930s, Scandinavian Modern
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
FRITZ HANSEN & MID-CENTURY MODERN A beautiful Fritz Hansen easy chair, model 1669, 1930s. Sculptural and comfortable armchair upholstered in brown sheepskin with cognac coloured bu...
Sheepskin
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce Chandelier in Hammered Brass
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Lelii for Arredoluce, chandelier model 12369, brass, Italy, design circa 1951 Organic chandelier by Angelo Lelii designed for Arredoluce. Six leaves open towards the ceiling ...
Brass
$99,500
H 27.17 in W 116.93 in D 51.19 in
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc '6999' Sofa in Mohair and Walnut
By Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc., Vladimir Kagan
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc, sofa, model '6999', reupholstered in “Bold” by Pierre Frey, walnut, United States, made 1950s This mid-century modern sofa, designed by Vladim...
Fabric, Walnut
$10,150Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 31.5 in W 36 in D 29 in
Shearling Sheepskin Lounge Chairs, Style of Marta Blomstedt, 1940's Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Culver City, CA
Could they be designed by Marta Blomstedt? Maybe. Are they fabulous? Absolutely! We ship internationally! Please see our shipping rates! This dreamy Finnish duo from the 1940s is g...
Sheepskin, Oak
Original lounge chair by Flemming Lassen, Denmark.
By Flemming Lassen
Located in København K, DK
Original 1940s easy chair in green velvet. Similar to "den trætte mand" with original upholsery. Danish Cabinet maker Flemming Lassen, Denmark.
Velvet, Beech
$96,000
H 25.2 in W 93.31 in D 31.5 in
Curved Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Midcentury Brazilian Design, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
A prolific and gifted designer, Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) masterfully laid the groundwork for modern living in Brazil through his furniture and interiors. Born in Portugal and tra...
Leather, Hardwood
$23,500
H 38 in W 35.5 in D 40 in
Flemming Lassen Attribution, Lounge Chair, Shearling, Wood, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable stained wood and beige shearling lounge chair attributed to Flemming Lassen, Denmark, 1940s. Seat Height (inches): 17.5" Arm Height (inches): 24.88" All items ship from...
Sheepskin, Wood
$10,491
H 38.59 in W 33.47 in D 35.44 in
Danish Mid Century Highback Wingback Armchair in Grey Sheepskin Produced, 1940s
By Thorald Madsens Snedkeri
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Danish mid century high wingback armchair in the style of a Fritz Hansen "1672" produced by Thorald Madsen Snedkeri Denmark, 1940s. In great condition and professionally restore...
Sheepskin, Beech
Designed in partnership with architect Matti Lampén, the strikingly modernist Hotel Aulanko in Hämeenlinna — as well as the impossibly plush, sheepskin-upholstered Aulanko armchairs for the project — is just one of the many examples of architect and furniture designer Märta Blomstedt’s contributions to the functionalist movement in Finland during the 20th century.
Born in the city of Turku, Blomstedt studied architecture and graduated from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1922. She married fellow student Pauli Blomstedt and together they established an architectural firm. They completed the Finnish Savings Bank in Helsinki and began work on the Hotel Pohjanhovi in Kannonkoski and the small Kannonkoski Church when Pauli died in 1935.
Matti Lampén, another architect who worked on the bank, aided Blomstedt in completing much of her husband’s unfinished work including the Yaskelyaynena Cottage — a Russian heritage building — and the Pohjanhovi Hotel. In 1938, the pair opened a firm together, Blomstedt & Lampén, and designed the Hotel Aulanko and took on a number of WWII restorations, builds and renovations including the Lindström and Sörnäisten Factory and the Pajarin Church.
Not unlike the well-known SAS Royal Hotel designed decades later in Denmark by Arne Jacobsen, Hotel Aulanko was intended to be a complete work of art, wherein the textiles and furnishings — produced by the likes of Paavo Tynell, Taito and Alvar Aalto for Artek, the company he cofounded with his wife, Aino — made up part of the whole.
Prior to Lampén’s death, Blomstedt & Lampén initiated work on a large city plan for the Oravikoski Mining Community which included housing units, apartment buildings, row houses and detached homes as well as community buildings like a cinema, nursery school and sauna. Blomstedt brought in architect Olli Penttilä to help complete the project. Blomstedt and Penttilä went on to design the Vuorimiehentie II building on Blomstedt’s old university campus as well as apartments in Oulu, Finland.
Today, Blomstedt’s 1930s-era Aulanko sheepskin lounge chairs — which may have been inspired by Danish designer Fleming Lassen's Tired Man armchair — remain highly sought after for their historical significance and quality. As an active member of the Finnish Association of Architects and founding member of the 1943 Association of Women Architects, Märta Blomstedt leaves behind a legacy of important milestones for female designers, Finnish architecture and Scandinavian modernism.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Märta Blomstedt seating and other furniture.
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.