Balloon Back Armchair
Antique 19th Century Italian Armchairs
Giltwood
Late 20th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Victorian Armchairs
Satinwood, Tapestry
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 20th Century French Provincial Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Antique 19th Century French Regency Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Suede
Antique 19th Century British William IV Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 1780s French Louis XVI Armchairs
Wood
Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Early 1900s Louis XVI Armchairs
Mahogany, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English Anglo-Indian Armchairs
Upholstery, Padouk
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel, Chrome
20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Paint
Vintage 1980s Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1830s Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Paint
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Beech, Oak, Upholstery
20th Century Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Wood
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Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Sideboards
Ash
Vintage 1960s American Louis XV Sideboards
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
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Antique 1860s Victorian Dining Room Tables
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Dining Room Tables
Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Wardrobes and Armoires
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Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Sofas
Silk, Giltwood
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
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Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Dining Room Tables
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Antique Mid-19th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Silk, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Queen Anne Armchairs
Antique 1720s English George I Armchairs
Beech, Walnut
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Cane, Wood
2010s Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century Dining Room Chairs
Beech
Antique 1870s American Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Silk, Wood, Down
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Beech
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Beech
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1960s Italian Armchairs
Fruitwood, Leather, Silk
Vintage 1970s European Armchairs
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Armchairs
Beech
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Silk, Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Revival Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Louis XVI Armchairs
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bamboo, Wicker
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Early 20th Century French Armchairs
Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut
British Armchairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Rattan
20th Century French Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Armchairs
Mahogany
20th Century American Victorian Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Linen, Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Antique Late 19th Century British George II Armchairs
Damask, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Dining Room Sets
Antique 1860s English Dining Room Sets
Antique 1860s English Victorian Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique 1770s British Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1940s French Dining Room Chairs
Antique 1840s English Victorian Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s British Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Damask, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s English Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Damask, Mahogany
Antique 1880s English Victorian Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Antique 1870s English Victorian Dining Room Sets
Damask, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s British Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Damask, Mahogany
Antique 1850s English Victorian Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Antique 1870s English Victorian Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Victorian Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Paint, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Wood
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Upholstery, Walnut, Velvet
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Beech, Oak
Balloon Back Armchair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Balloon Back Armchair?
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 a balloon back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A balloon back chair is a specific type of seat that became popular during the Victorian era. It features a curved back that tapers as it travels down to the seat. Many balloon back chairs are armless, and nearly all examples feature upholstered seats. You'll find a range of balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Balloon back chairs were made mostly in the Victorian era, as they were highly popular at this time in the 19th century. It is generally regarded as a classic antique dining room chair. Browse an array of authentic antique balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Balloon back chairs are from the Victorian era, which lasted from the late 1830s to the turn of the 20th century. These chairs get their name from their rounded backrests and narrow waists, which make it seem like their tops have ballooned or grown in size. On 1stDibs, shop a range of balloon back chairs.
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