Carved Ladderback
Mid-20th Century William and Mary Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Fruitwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Baroque Dining Room Chairs
Fruitwood
Vintage 1950s French Country Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique Late 18th Century Canadian Side Chairs
Pine
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Rush, Walnut
Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Armchairs
Metal
Antique Early 1900s Primitive Dining Room Chairs
Cord, Rope, Oak
Antique Early 1900s Spanish Belle Époque Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs
Straw, Oak
Antique Early 1900s English Hepplewhite Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Country Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Paint, Giltwood, Wood
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Naugahyde
Antique 19th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Oak
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Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1930s North American Hepplewhite Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 1880s French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Antique 19th Century American Country Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Classical Chairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
Antique Mid-19th Century American Side Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English William and Mary Side Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wood
Antique 17th Century British William and Mary Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Lacquer, Wood, Foam, Upholstery, Mohair, Fabric
Early 20th Century French Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Iron
Early 20th Century French Side Chairs
Pine, Faux Bamboo, Maple
20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wood
2010s German Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Birch, Lacquer
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Painted Furniture
Maple
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Side Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Chippendale Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s English Georgian Armchairs
Rush, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Armchairs
Elm, Leather
Antique 19th Century American Armchairs
Pine
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Armchairs
Hickory
Vintage 1970s Belgian Country Dining Room Chairs
Wicker, Oak
Vintage 1970s French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Rush, Hardwood
Late 20th Century French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood, Rush
Vintage 1910s French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Walnut
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Teak
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Walnut
20th Century French Country Armchairs
Lacquer, Rush, Wood
Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
20th Century Danish Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Dining Room Chairs
Metal
20th Century French Revival Farm Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Rush, Walnut
Vintage 1980s English Country Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique 1880s English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1920s English Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century English Country Dining Room Chairs
Muslin, Wood
Antique 1770s English George III Armchairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wool, Oak
Early 20th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Side Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century British Armchairs
Early 20th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Chippendale Side Chairs
20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Wood, Leather
Early 20th Century French American Colonial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood, Maple
Vintage 1960s Danish Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English George III Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British George III Chairs
Vintage 1960s Danish Armchairs
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Lounge Chairs
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Sofas
Teak
Early 20th Century Great Britain (UK) Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 18th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Chairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
Carved Ladderback For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Carved Ladderback?
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.