Captain Chairs
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Set of Eight Captain's Chairs
Located in Hudson, NY
And assembled set of 8 Captain's Chairs from England, early 20th century, very comfortable, great for home, bar or restaurant.
Category
Antique 1890s English Arts and Crafts Chairs
Materials
Wood
Elm and Fruitwood Captain's Chair
Located in Wilson, NC
This captain's chair has scrolled arms and a flared back rest. The arms are supported by four turned spindles. The elm seat has a slight saddle shaping. The four turned legs are conn...
Category
Antique 1880s English Chairs
Materials
Elm, Fruitwood
George Nakashima Captains Chairs, a Pair
By George Nakashima
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Pair of authentic George Nakashima Captain’s chairs. Walnut. Hand carved seat and spindles. Comes with authenticity receipt from George Nakashima Woodworkers. Originally purchased by...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Walnut
English Art 7 Craft Swivel Captain Chair, circa 1920
Located in Cowthorpe, North Yorkshire
English swivel captain chair, circa 1920.
Original swivel captain’s chair, is in very good vintage condition.
Measures: Seat height: 45cm, height: 87cm, depth: 55cm, width: 57cm.
Category
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Swivel Chairs
Materials
Oak
Pair of English Georgian Tripod Captain's Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of English Georgian Tripod Captain's chairs, each one of simple design, uniquely shaped with dowel and dovetail construction. Structurally sound.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Chairs
Materials
Walnut
1960s Arne Hovmand-Olsen Captain’s Chair
Located in High Point, NC
This captain’s chair designed by Arne Hovmand-Olsen was made in Denmark, circa 1960. The curved back and tapered legs of this elegant chair show off the beautiful patina of the teak....
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Materials
Jute, Teak
Childs Chair, in the Style of a Captain’s Chair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Childs chair, in the style of a Captain’s chair
This is a very unusual child’s chair, the chair has a rounded spindle back with which curves around to form the arms in the style o...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Country Chairs
Materials
Beech
English 19th Century Oak Captain's Chair
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A splendid captain’s chair, made in England, circa 1870 of solid oak. The antique has fantastic turned spindle components that join to form a handsome and classically styled chair. T...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
Materials
Oak
Mid-Century Nordisk Andels-Eksport Teak Captain Chairs, a Pair
By Nordisk Andels-Eksport
Located in Esperance, NY
Mid-century Nordisk Andels-Eksport teak captain chairs - a pair.
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Teak
Set of Four Captain's Chairs by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful set of four captain's chairs with classic Nakashima details: carved spindles, mortis and tenon joinery and beautiful curvature in the seat. American, circa 1960.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut
“Captain’s Chair” Solid Oak, Lacquered Steel, Upholstered Modern Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Captain’s chair is our very first piece of production furniture, The chair embodies his core belief: "Furniture must have its own personality". It is a luxurious lounger made of ...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 36 in. W 36 in. D 32 in.
Mid Century Upholstered Captains Chairs, Pair
Located in Countryside, IL
Mid century upholstered captains chairs - pair
Each of these chairs measure: 21 wide x 18.25 deep x 33.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height of 26.5 inches high
...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Captain’s Chair, Handmade Modern Wood Frame and Wool Upholstered Seat Armchair
By Phloem Studio
Located in Stevenson, WA
Phloem Studio Captains chair is a modern contemporary take on a classic Captains chair handmade custom to order with turned tapered and shaped legs and a horseshoe shape tube arm and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
H 30 in. W 24 in. D 21 in.
Early Modern Danish Cabinetmaker "Captains Chair" in Patinated Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful and sturdy design by a Danish cabinetmaker from the first half of the 20th. century. An early modern take on the traditional English "Captains chair" in beautifully patinat...
Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
H 30.71 in. W 24.41 in. D 18.51 in.
Phloem Studio Captains Chair, Modern Walnut and Rope Woven Seat Armchair
By Phloem Studio
Located in Stevenson, WA
Phloem Studio Captains chair is a modern contemporary take on a classic Captains chair handmade custom to order with turned tapered and shaped legs and a horseshoe shape tube arm and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Rope, Hardwood
Bentwood Pine and Poplar Captains Chairs
Located in New York, NY
4 bentwood (First quarter of the 20th century) stripped pine and poplar wood round back captains chairs with red seat with label, made in Poland. (Priced each).
Category
20th Century Polish Country Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Poplar, Bentwood
Captains Chairs by Eero Aarnio for Asko, 1960s, Set of Two
By Asko, Eero Aarnio
Located in Uppsala, SE
Pair of Captains chair designed by Eero Aarnio for Asko. A true pop design icon of the 1960s. New red upholstery on chrome-plated swivel base. Very good condition.
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Space Age Swivel Chairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Minimalist Modern Wire Side Chair, the Captain Chair by Bend Goods in White
By Bend Goods
Located in Ontario, CA
Bend Goods wire furniture
A Bend Goods original design, the Captain chair is truly one of a kind. It has a generous seat for better maneuverability, making this the ideal wire chair...
Category
2010s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel, Iron
H 29 in. W 23 in. D 17 in.
Minimalist Modern Wire Side Chair, The Captain Chair by Bend Goods in Copper
By Bend Goods
Located in Ontario, CA
Bend Goods Wire Furniture
A Bend Goods original design, the Captain chair is truly one of a kind. It has a generous seat for better maneuverability, making this the ideal wire chair...
Category
2010s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel, Iron
H 29 in. W 23 in. D 17 in.
Minimalist Modern Wire Side Chair, The Captain Chair by Bend Goods in Black
By Bend Goods
Located in Ontario, CA
Bend Goods Wire Furniture
A Bend Goods original design, the captain chair is truly one of a kind. It has a generous seat for better maneuverability, making this the ideal wire chair...
Category
2010s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel, Iron, Metal
H 29 in. W 23 in. D 17 in.
Minimalist Modern Wire Side Chair, the Captain Chair by Bend Goods in Gold
By Bend Goods
Located in Ontario, CA
Bend Goods wire furniture
A Bend Goods original design, the captain chair is truly one of a kind. It has a generous seat for better maneuverability, making this the ideal wire chair...
Category
2010s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel, Iron
H 29 in. W 23 in. D 17 in.
Modern English Mahogany and Leather Captains Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern English mahogany and leather captains chair, of typical form with subtle details, custom calfskin leather upholstery.
Provenance: Acquired from Jacques Grange.
Category
20th Century English Modern Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Early Wharton Esherick Captain’s Chair in American Walnut and Brown Leather
By Wharton Esherick
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wharton Esherick, ‘Captain’s Chair’, American walnut, brown leather, United States, 1951
This beautiful early ‘Captain’s Chair’ is a striking example of American designer Wharton ...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
H 28.75 in. W 23.04 in. D 20.87 in.
Vintage Captain's Chair, English, Leather, Desk, Victorian Revival, Circa 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage captain's chair. An English, leather desk swivel chair in Victorian revival taste, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960.
Appealing colour and turned crafts...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather
H 31.89 in. W 24.61 in. D 25.01 in.
English Elm and Oak Low Back Windsor / Captain's Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
An early 19th century solid elm and oak Windsor style low back captain's chair.
Recently refinished and in excellent condition, sturdy and sound.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Windsor Chairs
Materials
Elm, Oak
H 32 in. W 24 in. D 17.25 in.
American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Captains Chairs - Pair
By American of Martinsville
Located in Countryside, IL
American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Captains Chairs - Pair
These chairs measure: 22 wide x 22 deep x 38 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/chair clearanc...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century Captain's Chairs, Set of 2
Located in New York, NY
Pair of solid wood captain's chairs with molded seat and back. American, early 20th century. Brass casters. Simple early industrial design executed in walnut.
Property from esteem...
Category
Early 20th Century American Chairs
Materials
Brass
Vintage Set of Five Captains Chairs, Heywood Wakefield "Ashcraft" Line
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Crockett, CA
Set of five Heywood Wakefield captains chairs from their Ashcraft line which was made to look like the legs and backs were rattan, with paper cord wrapping at the fronts of the arms ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Papercord, Ash, Birch
H 30.5 in. W 22.5 in. D 22 in.
Eero Saarinen Knoll MCM Tulip Dining Chairs with Two Captains Chairs, Set of 6
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Countryside, IL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll mid century tulip dining chairs with two captains chairs - set of 6
The captains chair measures: 25.75 wide x 24 deep x 32 high, with a seat height of 18 i...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 32 in. W 25.75 in. D 24 in.
Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball Mid Century Dining Captains Chair
By Conant Ball, Leslie Diamond
Located in Countryside, IL
Leslie diamond for Conant ball mid century dining captains chair
Chair measures: 22.25 wide x 20.26 deep x 33 high, with a seat height of 19.25 inches
All pieces of furniture can...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Lawrence Peabody for Craft Associates MCM Walnut Captains Chairs, a Pair
By Craft Associates, Lawrence Peabody
Located in Countryside, IL
Lawrence Peabody For Craft Associates mid century walnut captains chairs - a pair.
Each chair measures: 21.5 wide x 19.5 deep x 30 high, with a seat height of 17.5 inches and an a...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
H 30 in. W 21.5 in. D 19.5 in.
‘Captain’s Chair’ by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Co
By Paul McCobb
Located in London, GB
A rare model 1532 ‘Captain’s Chair’ in solid maple by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Co. USA, c. 1950s.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Maple
Paul McCobb for Lane Components Mid Century Walnut Captain's Chairs, Pair
By Paul McCobb, Lane Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for lane components mid century walnut captain's chairs - pair
These chairs measure: 22.5 wide x 20 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/ch...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
H 30.5 in. W 22.5 in. D 20 in.
Armchair Captain's Chair Black Swedish 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Captain's chair black Swedish 19th century Sweden. An armchair made during the end of 19th century. Painted in our signature Laserow Black.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design armchair or Captain's chair for Dunbar, Model 5480. Elegant and iconic design by Edward Wormley executed in ash plywood with original cane and finish with a new...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Brass
19th Century Children's Captains Chair in Original Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine mid western Child's captain’s chair in original painted surface is in great condition. Fantastic for a teddy bear collection or little child. This chair has wonderful aged ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Country Children's Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair McGuire Burgundy Leather Sling Seats Folding Captains Chairs Olive Frames
By McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair McGuire Burgundy leather sling seats folding captains chairs olive finish frames.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
H 33 in. W 23 in. D 18 in.
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Walnut Brass and Leather Captains Chairs - Pa
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Walnut Brass and Leather Captains Chairs - Pair
These chairs measure: 22.5 wide x 22 deep x 36 inches high, with a seat height of 21 and arm heigh...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 36 in. W 22.5 in. D 22 in.
Set of Four Captain Chairs by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
A wonderful set of four American black Walnut 'Captain" chairs handcrafted by George Nakashima in his New Hope Studio in 1976. These chairs were designed with creative exposed joints...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Armchairs Model 789b ‘Captain’s Chair’ Designed by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of armchairs model 789B ‘Captain’s Chair’ designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden. 1930s.
Mahogany, leather and brass.
Measures: H: 76.5 cm / 2' 6"
W: 58 cm / 1' ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.12 in. W 22.84 in. D 25.6 in.
Pair of armchairs model 789B ‘Captain’s Chair’ designed by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of armchairs model 789B ‘Captain’s Chair’ designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden. 1930s.
Mahogany, leather and brass.
Measures: H: 76.5 cm / 2' 6"
W: 58 cm / 1' ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.12 in. W 22.84 in. D 25.6 in.
Rare Pair of Walnut Captain Chair by Wharton Esherick
By Wharton Esherick
Located in Atlanta, GA
Handmade in his studio in Paoli PA in 1951, by one of the most celebrated American artist and woodworker Wharton Esherick (1887-1970), the pair of "Captain's Chairs" manifests the be...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Arthur Umanoff Wood and Rush Captain's Chair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural Arthur Umanoff chair with signature rush back, slatted wood seat, and iron legs. Metal frame in a vintage adobe finish. Rare design. Floating seat. Good vintage condition....
Category
Vintage 1950s American Chairs
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Captain's Chair from Bali with Slatted Wood
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Indonesian captain's chair from the early 20th century, with slatted wood, pierced splat and looping arms. We currently have nine chairs available, with slightly different...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Armchairs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Original Paint Decorated Captains Chair with Eagle and Stars
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing all original painted and decorated sea captains chair from New England. This chair has the original gilded surface and a red painted base. This plank seat chair is in gr...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Classical Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Original Chesterfield Brown Leather Directors Captains Chair, Brand Wade
Located in Berlin, DE
Vintage tufted brown Leather English Chesterfield style barrel back desk chair. Item features rolled arms, nailhead trim, deep button tufts, and a solid wood base on rolling casters....
Category
20th Century English Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather
H 34.65 in. W 27.56 in. D 23.63 in.
Very Rare Set of Six Eton College Victorian Walnut Captains Chairs Carved EC
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and important suite of six original Victorian Walnut Eton College captains chairs each one carved with EC in the back rest
A subst...
Category
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut
H 30.71 in. W 22.84 in. D 24.02 in.
Earl Hand Crafted Walnut Custom Upholstered Moresby Captain Chair
By Chris Earl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Solid wood construction with hand-cut joinery and custom upholstered seat and seat back. This chair shown in walnut and camel leather.
In stock leather choice: black, olive, camel...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak, Walnut
Antique Armchair, English, Victorian, Elm Bow Back, Smokers Captains Chair
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique armchair, an English, Victorian, elm, bow-back 'smokers', or 'captains', chair dating to circa 1900.
An appealing country kitchen, bow back armchair
Grain inte...
Category
Early 20th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Materials
Beech, Elm
H 31.99 in. W 24.02 in. D 21.07 in.
1960s Erik Buch Pair of Model 67 Captains Chair in Teak, Inc. Reupholstery
By Erik Buch, Ørum Møbler
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Erik Buch pair of model 67 "Captains Chair" in teak for Ørum Møbelfabrik.
The well designed organic shaped armchairs with their well shaped comfortable seats have been restore...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Teak
H 31.5 in. W 24.02 in. D 21.66 in.
1960s Set of Ten Erik Buch Model 67 Captains Chair in Teak , Inc. Reupholstery
By Erik Buch, Ørum Møbler
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Erik Buch model 67 "Captains Chair" in teak for Ørum Møbelfabrik.
This rare and very comfortable set of 10 Captains chairs with their well designed organic shapes are in very ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Teak
H 31.5 in. W 24.02 in. D 21.66 in.
Antique Captains Chair with Embossed Leather Armorial Coat of Arms, circa 1880
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture
Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite circa 1880 Victorian walnut framed with embossed brown leather upholstery captain’...
Category
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather
H 30.52 in. W 23.23 in. D 21.26 in.
1 of 2 Wade England Restored Chesterfield Swivel Brown Leather Captains Chairs
By Chesterfield, Wade Furniture Co.
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer 1 of 2, hand made in England by Wade Upholstery, fully restored original vintage hand dyed cigar brown leather Chesterfield tufted director’s chairs
This...
Category
20th Century English Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather
H 41.93 in. W 25.01 in. D 30.52 in.
Important Antique Chesterfield circa 1860 Restored Brown Leather Captains Chair
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare and important fully restored circa 1860 barrel back Chesterfield hand dyed brown leather office chair
This chair is really quite ...
Category
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
H 31.7 in. W 29.93 in. D 25.99 in.
Rare Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Directors Captains Chair Porcelain Castors
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored aged brown leather Gainsborough Directors armchair with hand made in England Porcelain castors
This is a very fine...
Category
20th Century English Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather
H 41.34 in. W 24.02 in. D 26.38 in.
Chesterfield circa 1880 Restored Brown Leather Barrel Back Captains Chair
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to this fully restored circa 1860 Barrell back Chesterfield hand dyed brown leather office chair
This chair is really quite exquisite, it’s one of the earliest ty...
Category
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
H 34.26 in. W 26.78 in. D 24.81 in.
Earl Hand Crafted White Oak, Black Leather Moresby Captain Chair
By Chris Earl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Solid wood construction with hand-cut joinery and custom upholstered seat and seat back. This chair shown in white oak and black leather.
In stock leather choice: black, olive, ca...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak, Walnut
1960s Pair of Erik Buch Model 67 Captains Chair in Teak Reupholstered in Leather
By Erik Buch, Ørum Møbler
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Erik Buch model 67 "Captains Chair" in teak for Ørum Møbelfabrik reupholstered in exclusive top quality leather from "Sorensen Leather".
The well designed organic shaped arm...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Teak
H 31.5 in. W 24.02 in. D 21.66 in.
Stunning Restored Pair of Custom Teak and Cane Captains Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. Expert custom...
Category
1990s American Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Brass
Original circa 1880 Maple & Co Restored Captains Chair Period Hillcrest Base
By Hillcrest, Maple & Co.
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Victorian stamped Maple & Co fully restored mahogany framed Hillcrest base office chair with hand dyed brown leather upholst...
Category
Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
H 36.62 in. W 23.63 in. D 26.78 in.
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Captain Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are several options of captain chairs available for sale. The range of distinct captain chairs — often made from wood, animal skin and leather — can elevate any home. We have 351 antique and vintage captain chairs in-stock, while there are 12 modern editions to choose from as well. There are all kinds of captain chairs available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Captain chairs made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Victorian — are very popular at 1stDibs. Chesterfield, George Nakashima and Edward Wormley each produced beautiful captain chairs that are worth considering.
How Much are Captain Chairs?
Captain chairs can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $2,495, while the lowest priced sells for $480 and the highest can go for as much as $56,000.
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.
Questions About Captain Chairs
- 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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