Barrel Back Bench
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Benches
Hickory
Antique 19th Century British Rustic Benches
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches
Leather, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Benches
Iron
Antique 19th Century Benches
Wood
2010s French Benches
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
2010s American Loveseats
Wood
2010s French Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
1990s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Bouclé, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s German Modern Chairs
Metal, Aluminum
People Also Browsed
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mahogany, Leather
2010s Table Lamps
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
2010s Austrian Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Wood, Fabric, Linen
Vintage 1940s Danish Art Deco Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Antique 1780s Welsh Benches
Oak
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic End Tables
Wood
2010s Belgian Modern Club Chairs
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights a...
Brass
Vintage 1920s British Late Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Rustic Side Tables
Wood
Recent Sales
Antique 1740s Benches
Elm
2010s Moroccan Benches
Iron
2010s Moroccan Benches
Iron
Antique Late 19th Century Benches
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Textile, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century Welsh Georgian Benches
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century English Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century Edwardian Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century North American Victorian Benches
Mahogany
2010s French Benches
Iron
2010s French Benches
Iron
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Benches
Oak
2010s French Benches
Iron
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Benches
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Benches
Hickory
Antique Late 19th Century European Benches
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Benches
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century English Country Benches
Oak
Late 20th Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique Late 18th Century American American Colonial Fireplaces and Mantels
Pine
20th Century Austrian Aesthetic Movement Settees
Cherry
2010s French Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chairs
Oak
2010s French Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
2010s French Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Vintage 1940s American Adirondack Settees
Hickory
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Art Deco Armchairs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Art Deco Armchairs
Velvet
Vintage 1970s Great Britain (UK) Early Victorian Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Benches
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Benches
Brass
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Settees
Cane, Walnut, Fabric
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
2010s French Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Chairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Baroque Decorative Art
Porcelain
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Benches
Elm
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Benches
Pine
Antique 19th Century Swedish Benches
Barrel Back Bench For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Barrel Back Bench?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Reupholster a barrel back chair by first removing the old upholstery from the chair. Use the old pieces of material as a guide to help you cut the new upholstery into properly sized pieces. Reupholster the chair by using a furniture stapler to re-secure the new upholstery in the same manner that the old upholstery was attached. Shop a range of vintage and contemporary barrel back chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A bench with a back on it is usually just called a bench, while one without a back is a backless bench. Pieces placed in public areas to seat one or two people are park benches. Longer, more decorative ones for home use are garden benches. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of benches.
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