Captains Chairs
Antique 1880s English Chairs
Elm, Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Ash
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass
Antique 1890s English Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Jute, Teak
Late 20th Century Dutch Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Swivel Chairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Oak
20th Century British Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
Antique Early 1900s Country Chairs
Beech
20th Century British Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
20th Century Polish Country Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Poplar, Bentwood
Vintage 1980s American Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Cotton, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Rope, Hardwood
2010s American Victorian Club Chairs
Walnut
20th Century English Modern Armchairs
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Windsor Chairs
Elm, Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Club Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Club Chairs
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Ash
20th Century Danish Country Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Armchairs
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Swivel Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Walnut
Vintage 1980s Thai Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1960s North American Chairs
Walnut
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Teak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century American Windsor Chairs
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Foam, Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Teak
Early 20th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Beech, Elm
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Armchairs
Elm
Vintage 1930s English Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Teak
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique Early 1900s British Country Chairs
Elm
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Oak, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood, Ash, Oak
Early 20th Century Indonesian Armchairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Teak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Oak, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century British Armchairs
Ash, Elm
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut
20th Century English Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
1990s American Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century British Chesterfield Chairs
Leather
Antique Late 19th Century English Armchairs
Yew
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Swivel Chairs
Leather
- 1
- ...
Captains Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Captains 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 unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 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.
- 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.
- What is a captain's chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A 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.
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.