Pair of Maison Jansen Style Silver Leaf Montgolfier Side Chairs, France, C. 1960
By Maison Jansen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Each chair is finely carved in beech and finished in a soft silver-leaf surface, the oval back framing the distinctive pierced splat in the form of a Montgolfier hot air balloon. A b...
Upholstery, Wood
2 Mid Century Coastal Style Boho Chic Bamboo & Rattan Peacock Arm Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Features a bamboo frame with interlaced rattan balloon back and removable cushions. Dimensions: 27"w x 25" x 44.5"h
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
$18,500 / set
Set of Twelve Painted Italian Armchairs, circa 1760
Located in Greenwich, CT
A large set of twelve paint decorated Italian 18th century armchairs of substantial scale with button upholstered balloon backs, having shaped caned seats with detachable buttoned cu...
Wood
Elegant quality set of six antique Victorian carved walnut dining chairs
Located in Ipswich, GB
Elegant quality set of six antique Victorian carved walnut dining chairs, having a quality set of six antique Victorian balloon back dining chairs with carved back rails and pierced ...
Walnut
$1,800 / set
Pair of Directoire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of painted Directoire style balloon back armchairs, late 20th century. With a balloon back, back splat, an upholstered seat cushion, resting on turned tapered fluted legs.
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Set of Four Austrian Biedermeier Chairs, Ash Veneer, Grey Velvet, Circa 1890
Located in Regensburg, DE
Set of four beautiful Biedermeier Style 'Balloon Chairs' from Vienna, Austria circa 1890, late 19th century.
Velvet, Rosewood, Oak, Mahogany, Ash
Pair English Regency Ebonized and Parcel-gilt Armchairs with Caned Seat
Located in San Francisco, CA
a pair of early 19th-century Regency armchairs, ebonized with gilt stencil decoration; each features a double-baluster crest rail above a lyre-form openwork back, flanked by down-cur...
Wood
Set of 6 Victorian Dining Chairs, Upholstered with William Morris Velvet
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Set of 6 Victorian Dining Chairs, Upholstered with William Morris Velvet A superb quality set of chairs, the chairs have a shaped balloon back top rail, turned legs and they have n...
Mahogany
$2,121 / set
Pair Of Mid-19th Century Side Chairs
Located in Cheshire, GB
A pair of finely carved mid-19th century side chairs in the Victorian taste, each with a shaped and moulded balloon back centred by a pierced and scrolling horizontal splat.
Wood
Lovely set of four antique Victorian rosewood dining chairs
Located in Ipswich, GB
Lovely set of four antique Victorian rosewood dining chairs, having a lovely quality set of four antique Victorian dining chairs with a quality rosewood balloon back rest above an up...
Rosewood
Hello Bench by R'kan, Wood, Contemporary Design, Egypt, 2022
Located in Giza Governorate, القاهرة
The Hello Bench is a signature piece that was done in collaboration with artist Caroline De Souza adding the balloon. Prices vary in this edition whether including or excluding the ...
Wood
3 Antique Victorian Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut Upholstered Parlor Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Made from walnut with carved and burled balloon backs over a brocade upholstered seat and downswept legs.
Fabric, Walnut, Burl
Marcel Wanders for Roche Bobois Large Montgolfiere Sofa
By MARCEL WANDERS, Roche Bobois
Located in Rio Vista, CA
The Montgolfiere sofa measures over 9 feet long and features round armrests inspired by the 18th century French Montgolfier Brothers who invented the hot air balloon in 1783. The sof...
Metal
$787Sale Price / item|30% Off
Antique American Empire Side Chair, Hand-Turned Wood, Cane Seat, 1890s
Located in New Orleans, LA
Made from fine wood, this armless chair feature a subtly curved silhouette, medallions and a balloon seat giving it an elegant and refined appearance.
Cane, Walnut
$1,074 / set
Set Four Victorian Walnut Carved Dining Chairs
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Crafted from warm toned walnut, these chairs feature the classic balloon back silhouette with delicately carved floral detail to the lower back rail, an elegant hallmark of 19th-cent...
Walnut
Fantastic quality set of four antique Victorian mahogany dining chairs
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fantastic quality set of four antique Victorian mahogany dining chairs, having a quality set of four antique Victorian dining chairs, having a quality mahogany balloon back wider at ...
Velvet, Mahogany
$15,979Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Victorian Carved Walnut 11 Piece Salon/Drawing Room Suite
Located in Suffolk, GB
The frames are finely carved in solid walnut with well defined cresting shaped balloon backs and flowing cabriole legs. The sofa is particularly striking with its triple back and swe...
Walnut
$2,950 / set
Vintage Papier Mache Cane Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Traditionally associated with the Napoleon III and English Victorian eras, these chairs feature an exquisite "japanned" black lacquer finish, masterfully accented with shimmering han...
Gold Leaf
Fine quality set of six antique Victorian rosewood dining chairs
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fine quality set of six antique Victorian rosewood dining chairs, having a quality set of six antique Victorian rosewood dining chairs, having a balloon backs with a flowing curved t...
Rosewood
Vintage Paper Mache Inlay Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite antique Victorian side chair is a masterclass in 19th-century decorative artistry. Featuring a stately balloon-back silhouette, the frame is meticulously finished in r...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Vintage Paper Mache Inlay Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite antique Victorian side chair is a masterclass in 19th-century decorative artistry. Featuring a stately balloon-back silhouette, the frame is meticulously finished in r...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
A Pair of George II Period Mahogany Hall Chairs with Concave, Painted Backs
Located in Harrodsburg, KY
Inspired by the Italian sgabello form. The balloon-shaped seats have a dished center which is mirrored on the shaped front legs.
Mahogany, Paint
Pair of Mongolfiere Chairs by Trouvaille of Boston
By Trouvailles Furniture Inc.
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of Balloon chairs by Trouvaille of Boston in original cream painted finish.
Wood
$11,177 / set
A Very Fine 19th Century Set of Twelve Dining Chairs
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th Century set of twelve well figured mahogany spear point balloon back dining chairs. This superb set of chairs are of exceptional quality, finely hand carved with be...
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Set 18 Victorian Dining Chairs 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A fabulous set of eighteen antique Victorian flame mahogany balloon back dining chairs, Circa 1880 in date.
Fabric, Mahogany
Globe Sofa by Peter Opsvik for Stokke editions, Norway, 1980s
By Peter Opsvik, Stokke
Located in TOURS, FR
The sofa has a three part structure supporting round seats and a backrest, composed of a balloon-style cushion in the lower part and a bolster in the upper part.
Leather, Wood
Globe Lounge Chair by Peter Opsvik for Stokke editions, Norway, 1980s
By Stokke, Peter Opsvik
Located in TOURS, FR
The chair has a four-legged structure supporting a round seat and a backrest, composed of a balloon-style cushion in the lower part and a bolster in the upper part.
Leather, Wood
$3,912Sale Price / set|20% Off
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Set of Six Carved Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality antique Victorian set of six carved walnut dining chairs having a wonderful quality carved walnut balloon back, upholstered serpentine shaped seats in a quality f...
Walnut
$12,035 / item
Luftballon Blue Sofa
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Milan, IT
Luftballons, the upholstered furniture collection by Valter Cagna from Gebrüder Thonet Vienna design, is characterized by soft lines and sinuous curves, inspired by the contours of a...
Wood
$8,305 / item
Luftballon Blue Lounge Chair
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Milan, IT
Luftballons, the upholstered furniture collection by Valter Cagna from Gebrüder Thonet Vienna design, is characterized by soft lines and sinuous curves, inspired by the contours of a...
Wood
A Set of 10 Queen Anne–Style Mahogany Dining Chairs by Councill, C. 1985.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The crest rails features a beautifully carved shell-and-scroll motif, above solid, vasiform splats, balloon slip seats, and cabriole front legs, each adorned with complementary shell...
Fabric, Mahogany
Suede Folding Ballon Chair by Hans Olsen for Lea
By Hans Olsen
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
Beautiful foldable balloon seat in leather attributed to the Danish designer Hans Olsen.
Metal
Fine Pair of 19th Century Swedish Rococo Chairs in Black Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
Painted in a rich matte black, the chairs feature gracefully contoured balloon backs, carved with floral and foliate motifs emblematic of the Rococo period.
Wood
$3,636Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Six Antique Victorian Quality Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Set of six antique Victorian quality carved mahogany dining chairs having a quality mahogany shape balloon back with a carved splat to the centre, serpentine shaped seats upholstered...
Other
Set of 6 Swedish Painted Dining Room Chairs with Carved Splats and Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
Created in Sweden during the Turn of the Century, each of this set of 6 side chairs features a balloon style back with carved splat, connected to a seat newly recovered with a white ...
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Four Louis XVI Style Dining Chairs Maitland-Smith
By Maitland Smith
Located in Rio Vista, CA
The chairs feature a classic Louis XVI style horseshoe (Fer á Cheval) or balloon (Montgolfier) back design on the splat. The painted frames have an intentionally, distressed patina o...
Cane, Wood
Set of Eight McGuire Gilt Rattan Caned Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
The chairs have a round cameo or balloon back with a caned back and seat. The seat is fitted with a deep, loose seat cushion upholstered with a chenille boucle style fabric in a deep...
Leather, Fabric, Cane, Rattan
$1,427Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Antique Victorian Quality Carved Rosewood Side Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique Victorian quality carved rosewood side chairs having a quality carved rosewood balloon back with a shaped carved splat to the centre, newly reupholstered serpentine s...
Other
Antique Victorian Walnut Slipper Chair, Ebonized, in Pierre Frey Embroidery
Located in Rolling Hills Estates, CA
The Emerald Noir is an antique Victorian slipper chair, circa 1860–1875, that sets a carved hardwood frame against an embroidered Pierre Frey textile. The balloon back flows into a d...
Wood, Upholstery, Walnut
$9,000 / set
Set of Six French Burlwood Caned Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
The frames have a classic balloon back shape with a round seat. The back, legs, and seat apron have a rich burl veneer.
Mahogany, Burl
$8,500 / set
Pair Of Chinese Export Padouk Side Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Each with shaped crestrail with leaf carving over a pierced splat, drop in balloon seat. Raised on cabriole legs with turned stretchers and ending on paw feet.
Padouk
Louis XVI Style Beechwood Dining Chairs Set of Eight
By Maison Jansen
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chairs feature timeless balloon backs, rich, supple brown leather seats, and fluted legs with brass caps.
Walnut
A quality set of 6 French Louis XVI style dining chairs, C 1920.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Each painted and upholstered chair with a straight, rectangular back, over a balloon seat and apron with six rosette carvings, supported by circular fluted and tapered front legs and...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair of Biedermeier Fruitwood Side Chairs, Mid-19th Century
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Each features a graceful balloon back with a simple center support, cabriole-influenced front legs, and sweeping sabre legs in the rear — a restrained yet fluid design that feels sur...
Fruitwood
Set of six antique Victorian quality carved mahogany dining chairs
Located in Ipswich, GB
Set of six antique Victorian quality carved mahogany dining chairs, having quality carved mahogany balloon shaped backs, newly reupholstered seats in a quality fabric, standing on sh...
Mahogany
A Fine Suite of 12 Mahogany Dining Chairs by Gillows, c.1825
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Of serpentine shape, these fine chairs anticipate the later balloon back models that dominated the Victorian period.
Brass
Set of Four French Louis XVI Style Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
The highly detailed frames feature a round balloon back decorated with a carved faux rope border and a ribbon floral spray on the crest.
Fabric, Walnut
$3,030Sale Price / set|20% Off
Superb Quality Set Of Six Antique Victorian Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Superb quality set of six antique Victorian mahogany dining chairs having a superb quality mahogany balloon back with carved scrolls, newly reupholstered serpentine shaped seats in a...
Other
Swivel armchair Montgolfiére with Honey plain fabric handcrafted by Murmurio
By Murmurio
Located in Lordelo, PT
Inspired by the majestic hot air balloons, the Montgolfière Swivel Armchair is a true work of art, crafted by skilled artisans using only the finest materials.
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood, Ash
Swivel armchair Montgolfiére with Nude plain weave handcrafted by Murmurio
By Murmurio
Located in Lordelo, PT
Inspired by the majestic hot air balloons, the Montgolfière Swivel Armchair is a true work of art, crafted by skilled artisans using only the finest materials.
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood, Ash
Swivel armchair Montgolfiére with Denim plain fabric handcrafted by Murmurio
By Murmurio
Located in Lordelo, PT
Inspired by the majestic hot air balloons, the Montgolfière Swivel Armchair is a true work of art, crafted by skilled artisans using only the finest materials.
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood, Ash
Set of Four French Louis XVI Style Dining Chairs with Brown Mohair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
The frames have round cameo or balloon backs having a distinctive exposed rear side.
Brass
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair Metal Base (LCM), 1950s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Centreville, VA
The first plywood pieces got their shape from balloons, which Charles and Ray filled with air supplied by a bicycle pump!
Plywood
Synchronicity GardenThree-Seater Sofa by Lara Bohinc, Pink, Cork , Outdoor
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
This is a three seater sofa comprising of three seating sections, its voluminous and expanding curves balloon, as if wanting to float away from the ground.
Cork
$1,750Sale Price / set|20% Off
Louis XVI Design Style Dining Chair set Model Fer à Cheval, France 1940's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Made in France, 1940's period. Hot Air Balloon Model Fer à Cheval. Ivory lacquered / stained wood constructed chairs with cane webbing seats.
Cane, Wood
Vintage Boho Mother of Pearl Inlay Papier Mache Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the captivating allure of this exquisite vintage accent chair, featuring intricate mother-of-pearl inlay shimmering against a deep black lacquered finish, likely over a trad...
Mother-of-Pearl, Cane
Set of Six French Louis XVI Style Painted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime set of six French 20th century carved beech dining chairs crafted in the grand Louis XVI taste. The oval balloon back or cameo frames feature an opulent silver cloud or oyste...
Brass
Vintage French Louis XVI Style Carved Walnut Fireside Arm Chair Fauteuil
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Item features beautiful carved scrollwork-acanthus arms, small florets along the back, carvings the entire way around the oval balloon back, and fluted column-form legs. Circa Early ...
Mahogany, Walnut
Set of Four Louis XVI Style Painted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
The chairs feature beautifully carved frames with an oval cameo or balloon-shaped backs having a floral spray on the tops.
Velvet, Wood
Rattan and Bamboo Porter's Chair
Located in East Hampton, NY
Rattan and bamboo porter's chair with balloon style hood.
Bamboo, Rattan
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.