Bench Empire
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Benches
Brass
Antique 1820s French Empire Benches
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Benches
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Revival Benches
Iron, Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Benches
Fabric, Ebony, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Bronze
Antique Early 1800s Italian Empire Benches
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Empire Benches
Fabric, Beech
Early 20th Century French Directoire Benches
Beech
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Benches
Iron
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Benches
Brass
Early 20th Century French Benches
Upholstery, Beech
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Benches
Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Empire Benches
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Benches
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
Early 20th Century American American Empire Benches
Linen, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Benches
Walnut, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century French Benches
Velvet, Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century Baltic Empire Benches
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Benches
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Benches
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Benches
Upholstery, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Benches
Gesso, Upholstery, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Benches
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Benches
Upholstery, Natural Fiber, Giltwood, Leather, Linen
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Benches
Mahogany
2010s Italian Empire Benches
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Benches
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
20th Century French Benches
Upholstery, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Nickel
Antique 1820s French Empire Benches
Mohair
Late 20th Century Benches
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Nickel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Steel, Nickel
Vintage 1930s French Neoclassical Benches
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1970s North American American Empire Benches
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Swedish Empire Benches
Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Benches
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Benches
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
20th Century Empire Revival Benches
Wood
Antique 1850s French Benches
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Empire Revival Benches
Brass, Steel
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Benches
20th Century American Empire Benches
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 1840s Swedish Biedermeier Benches
Birch
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Metal
2010s Danish Modern Benches
Concrete
2010s Danish Modern Benches
Concrete
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Benches
Walnut
Vintage 1930s Burmese British Colonial Benches
Brass
Antique 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Benches
Fabric, Wood, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Revival Benches
Leather, Hardwood
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Bench Empire For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Bench Empire?
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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
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.
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.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.