Balloon Loveseat
2010s Egyptian Loveseats
Wood
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2010s Egyptian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
Vintage 1950s European Egyptian Revival Stools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Egyptian Revival Stools
Brass
Vintage 1940s European Egyptian Revival Benches
Walnut
Vintage 1920s English Benches
Leather, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Brass, Iron
2010s Egyptian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Benches
Silk, Fruitwood
2010s Egyptian Benches
Rattan, Hardwood
Vintage 1920s French Egyptian Revival Benches
Walnut
2010s Egyptian Modern Benches
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Gold Leaf
2010s Egyptian Minimalist Benches
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Egyptian Country Dining Room Tables
Oak, Reclaimed Wood
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Loveseats
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Rocking Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century North American Loveseats
Cotton, Linen, Wood
2010s English Modern Loveseats
Textile, Oak
2010s English Modern Living Room Sets
Textile, Oak
Antique 19th Century British Settees
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.
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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.
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After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.