What is a captain's chair?

A captain's chair is an armchair with a saddle seat and low curved back, usually upholstered in leather or cloth. It has vertical spindles that create the appearance of extra height for more formal settings. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage chairs.

Captains Armchair

English Victorian Armchair

Chesterfield Vintage Captains Office Chair

Captains Chair 19th Century

Captain Chair Dining Room

Brown Leather Office Chairs

Smokers Chair

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Erik Buch Set of Four 'Captains' Armchairs in Oak and Red Upholstery

$3,850 / set

$2,285 / item

$886 / item

$1,850

$6,500

$13,000 / set

Modernist Extension Burl Dining Set By Milo Baughman For Thayer Coggin

By Milo Baughman

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Side chairs: 18.5" w 23" d x 36.5" ht, seat ht 18.5" Captain armchairs: 21.5" w x 23" d x 36.5" ht, seat ht 18.5", ht 25"

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Burl

1960s Erik Buch Captain's Chairs, Teak & Wool Upholstery, Denmark

$2,856 / set

1960s Erik Buch Captain's Chairs, Teak & Wool Upholstery, Denmark

By Ørum Møbler, Erik Buch

Located in Antwerpen, Vlaanderen

Pair of Captain's chairs designed by Erik Buch for Ørum Møbler, Denmark 1960s.

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Teak

$3,410

Popular Restored Chesterfield Vintage Brown Leather Directors Captains Chair

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely restored vintage Chesterfield fully buttoned aged brown leather captains chair This piece was fully restored around a year ago, it ha...

Category

Vintage 1930s English Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Rare Pair of Walnut Captain Chair by Wharton Esherick

$56,000 / set

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

Pair Vintage Mid Century Modern Danish Teak Armchairs Pendleton Wool Fabric 1970

$1,895 / set

$3,907

Mid-Century modern SJ.67 Captain chair by Erik Buck. New edition

By Erik Buch

Located in Courbevoie, FR

Mid-Century modern SJ.67 Captain chair by Erik Buck. New edition The name gives it away. With its defining armrests, solid seat and supportive backrest, the Captain chair lives up t...

Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Pair of Antique Country House Captain's Chairs, English, Smoker's Bow, Victorian

$3,540 / set

Pair of Antique Country House Captain's Chairs, English, Smoker's Bow, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a pair of antique country house captain's chairs. An English, beech and elm smoker's bow or elbow seat, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Superb country house...

Category

Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Beech, Elm

Paul McCobb Authentic Furniture Products Sweden Captains Arm Chair Planner Group

$1,200

Paul McCobb Authentic Furniture Products Sweden Captains Arm Chair Planner Group

By Paul McCobb

Located in Forest Grove, PA

An "Authentic Furniture Products" captain's chair made in Sweden and designed by Paul McCobb. Slightly different than the Planner Group Captain's chair, the information we have found...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Maple

VINTAGE AGED BROWN LEATHER DIRECTOR'S CAPTAiNS OFFICE CHESTERFIELD ARMCHAIR

$3,416

VINTAGE AGED BROWN LEATHER DIRECTOR'S CAPTAiNS OFFICE CHESTERFIELD ARMCHAIR

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand made in England vintage Chesterfield Directors captains armchair with heritage brown lea...

Category

20th Century English Regency Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Vintage Georgian Chippendale Carved Mahogany Dining Captains Arm Chairs - Pair B

$595 / set

Vintage Georgian Chippendale Carved Mahogany Dining Captains Arm Chairs - Pair B

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Georgian Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Dining Captains Arm Chairs - Pair (B). Item features solid wood frame, beautiful wood grain, nicely carved details, very nice antiq...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Chippendale Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Recent Sales

Cement Encrusted French Captain Armchair

Unavailable

H 31 in W 24 in D 22 in

Cement Encrusted French Captain Armchair

Located in Chicago, IL

This comfortable armchair has a low, curved back and a saddle seat. Nailheads frame the seat. It is lightweight in solid wood with a subtle but noticeable cement texture.

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Armchairs

Jean Gillon 1.960s Camel Leader and Jacaranda Armchair and Ottoman Gran Captain

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 31 in W 18 in D 20 in

Four Einar Larsen & Bender Madsen Leather Dining Room Chairs

By Willy Beck

Located in Los Angeles, CA

I also have the two leather armchairs or captain’s chairs available and the 72" round teak dining table as well, everything is in fantastic quality.

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Erik Buch Style Mid Century Rosewood Captains Armchairs, a Pair

Sold

Sold

H 34 in W 24 in L 34 in

Dunbar Captains Armchair by Edward Wormley

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Armchair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Sculptural form frame made of laminated layers of ash with brass hardware, cane back, and newly upholstered mohair seat.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Sold

H 33 in W 25 in D 29 in

Pair of Captain Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Chicago, IL

Pair of armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Sculptural form dark finish frames with brass details. Cane backs, new blue velvet upholstered seats.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

L & JG Stickley Captain's Armchair Mission Art and Crafts

Sold

H 37 in W 26.5 in D 18.25 in

L & JG Stickley Captain's Armchair Mission Art and Crafts

By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.

Located in Fraser, MI

For Restoration. Arts and Crafts Arm Chair. Made by L & J. G. Stickley. Remnant Label on left inside of front stretcher. Chair is in as-found condition. The original seat is separa...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Antique Desk Chair, Victorian Captain's Armchair, Oak, Windsor, circa 1890

Sold

H 31.11 in W 20.97 in D 18.9 in

Antique Desk Chair, Victorian Captain's Armchair, Oak, Windsor, circa 1890

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique desk chair, a rotating and reclining Victorian captain's armchair in oak. A windsor dating to circa 1890.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs

Materials

Oak

Pair of Captain Armchairs by Adrain Pearsall for Craft Associates

Sold

H 29 in W 28 in D 26 in

Pair of Captain Armchairs by Adrain Pearsall for Craft Associates

By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Pair of "Captain's chairs" #916-CC by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates feature open walnut frames with compass profiles and newly upholstered seats and backrests in tan, woven co...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain Armchair in Maple, Winchendon, USA, 1950s

Sold

H 30.71 in W 23.63 in D 21.66 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain Armchair in Maple, Winchendon, USA, 1950s

By Paul McCobb

Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Mid-Century Modern captain chair by Paul McCobb for Planner Group. Solid maple wood, spindle back. Labeled.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Armchairs

PAIR OF ANTIQUE CIRCA 1900 EDWARDIAN HARDWOOD & WALNUT INLAID CAPTAINS ARMCHAIRs

Sold

H 29.93 in W 21.26 in D 18.9 in

PAIR OF ANTIQUE CIRCA 1900 EDWARDIAN HARDWOOD & WALNUT INLAID CAPTAINS ARMCHAIRs

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Edwardian circa 1900-1910 tub armchairs in Flamed Mahogany with Walnut inlaid in the She...

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Armchairs

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut

Sold

H 40.56 in W 31.11 in D 31.89 in

ANTIQUE FULLY RESTORED BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD DIRECTORS CAPTAINs ARMCHAIR

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely fully restored hand dyed Cigar Brown leather Chesterfield captain's or directors armchair Pleas...

Category

Vintage 1920s English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Pair of Captain Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Sold

Sold

H 33.5 in W 28 in D 22.5 in

Romweber Viking Oak Leather Back Captains Armchair, Set of 4

By Romweber Furniture Co.

Located in Plainview, NY

A rare set of 4 Romweber Viking oak leather back captains dining or side armchairs in Jacobean style.

Category

20th Century Jacobean Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

RESTORED BROWN LEATHER WILLIAM IV 1830 HARDWOOD CHESTERFiELD CAPTAINS ARMCHAIR

Sold

H 34.65 in W 25.2 in D 26.78 in

RESTORED BROWN LEATHER WILLIAM IV 1830 HARDWOOD CHESTERFiELD CAPTAINS ARMCHAIR

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original, fully restored circa 1830 William IV Captains chair with period Porcelain castors ...

Category

Antique 1830s English William IV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Restored Chesterfield Cigar Brown Leather Captains Armchair Hillcrest circa 1900

Sold

Sold

H 28.25 in W 23.5 in D 17.5 in

Set of Two Walnut Captain Chairs by George Nakashima, 1962

By George Nakashima

Located in Astoria, NY

Pair of George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) American Walnut Captain's Armchairs, 1962, with spindle backs on turned wood legs. 28.25" H x 23.5" W x 17.5" D; seat: 17.25" H.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Michael Thonet Birch Bentwood Dining Chairs, Captain Armchair and Five Side

Sold

H 32.75 in W 15 in D 17 in

Michael Thonet Birch Bentwood Dining Chairs, Captain Armchair and Five Side

By Michael Thonet

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Thonet, Austria circa 1940s dining chairs of golden birch bentwood. Bauhaus design with a touch of industrial that never goes out of style. They are all original, unrestored. Fiv...

Category

Vintage 1940s Austrian Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs

Vintage Heritage Aged Saddle Brown Leather Halo Swivel Office Captains Armchair

Sold

H 39.38 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in

Vintage Heritage Aged Saddle Brown Leather Halo Swivel Office Captains Armchair

By HALO SOHO

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this very comfortable, saddle brown heritage leather office chair made by Halo Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers wi...

Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Original English circa 1900 Edwardian Directors Office Captains Armchair in Oak

Sold

H 30.91 in W 23.63 in D 22.05 in

Original English circa 1900 Edwardian Directors Office Captains Armchair in Oak

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this restored circa 1900 directors armchair This chair is really quite exquisite, it has a tiger oak frame which means the timber was cut on th...

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Oak

ORIGINAL ANTIQUE THONET SWiVEL BERGERE DESK CAPTAINS ARMCHAIR MODEL NUMBER 3

Sold

H 31.11 in W 24.81 in D 23.23 in

ORIGINAL ANTIQUE THONET SWiVEL BERGERE DESK CAPTAINS ARMCHAIR MODEL NUMBER 3

By Thonet

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare, original, antique, Thonet Model No 3 swivel bergère chair circa 1900 Please note the deliv...

Category

Antique Early 1900s European Late Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Sold

H 29.75 in W 21 in

Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Spindle Back Armchairs, Pair

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

A rare pair of Mid-Century Modern solid maple captain armchairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 21" W x 21.5" D x 29.75" H., sea...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Maple

19th Century Victorian Period Black Leather Captain's Desk Armchair

Sold

H 29.53 in W 24.81 in D 22.84 in

19th Century Victorian Period Black Leather Captain's Desk Armchair

Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB

This fine quality late 19th-century Victorian period black leather and mahogany captain's office armchair, dating to around 1890, is in excellent condition.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Captain's Chair

Sold

H 31 in W 25 in D 18 in

Captain's Chair

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique Oak Captain's Chair with Custom seat cushion.

Materials

Brass

Marquetry Armchair with Satinwood Inlays, New York, circa 1890

$2,190

$2,475 / set

$2,650 / set

H 37.01 in W 24.81 in D 29.93 in

Pair of Art Deco Arm Chairs in Brown Leather and Teak, Netherlands, 1970s

Located in Dronten, NL

A striking pair of Art Deco–inspired armchairs crafted in the Netherlands during the 1970s, combining bold architectural lines with rich, tactile materials. These chairs reflect a la...

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Art Deco Lounge Chairs

Materials

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Linen

$8,800 / set

H 48 in W 33 in D 33.5 in

Rose Tarlow Faringale Leather Wing Chair and Ottoman

By Rose Tarlow

Located in Rio Vista, CA

An elegant wingback armchair in leather and gilt trim with matching ottoman designed by Rose Tarlow. The distinctive armchair and ottoman are upholstered in a bespoke tan parchment-t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood, Giltwood, Lacquer

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Captains Armchair For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the captains armchair you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, animal skin and leather, every captains armchair was constructed with great care. If you’re shopping for a captains armchair, we have 149 options in-stock, while there are 3 modern editions to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the captains armchair you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A captains armchair, designed in the Mid-Century Modern, Victorian or Scandinavian Modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Chesterfield, Edward Wormley and Dunbar each produced at least one beautiful captains armchair that is worth considering.

How Much is a Captains Armchair?

Prices for a captains armchair can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $497 and can go as high as $56,000, while the average can fetch as much as $2,700.

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.

Questions About Captains Armchair

What is a captain's chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
A captain's chair is an armchair with a saddle seat and low curved back, usually upholstered in leather or cloth. It has vertical spindles that create the appearance of extra height for more formal settings. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage chairs.

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