Captain Chairs
Antique 1890s English Arts and Crafts Chairs
Wood
Antique 1880s English Chairs
Elm, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Swivel Chairs
Oak
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Jute, Teak
Antique Early 1900s Country Chairs
Beech
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Teak
Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Rope, Hardwood
20th Century Polish Country Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Poplar, Bentwood
Vintage 1960s Finnish Space Age Swivel Chairs
Metal, Chrome
2010s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal, Stainless Steel, Iron
2010s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal, Stainless Steel, Iron
2010s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Stainless Steel, Iron, Metal
2010s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal, Stainless Steel, Iron
20th Century English Modern Armchairs
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century British Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
Antique Early 19th Century English Windsor Chairs
Elm, Oak
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Ash, Birch
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut, Upholstery
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Maple
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut, Upholstery
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Armchairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Early 20th Century American Country Children's Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Chairs
Iron
Early 20th Century Indonesian Armchairs
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Classical Painted Furniture
Pine
20th Century English Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Oak, Walnut
Early 20th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Beech, Elm
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Teak
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
20th Century English Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Oak
20th Century English Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Oak, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Teak
1990s American Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
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Captain Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Captain Chairs?
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 antique, new and vintage seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- What is a captain’s chair for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Today, a captain's chair is typically used for providing seating at a kitchen or dining table. The name of the chair comes from the fact that furniture of this type once provided seating for a ship's officers in lounge areas. Shop a large collection of captain's chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Captain’s chairs are called that because early versions of the armchairs were used aboard boats to provide seating for high-ranking officers. These chairs date back to the 19th century and usually featured all-wood construction. Find a selection of antique and vintage captain's chairs on 1stDibs.
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