Carved Wood Armed Chairs
2010s German Modern Chairs
Leather, Ash
2010s German Modern Chairs
Suede, Ash
Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
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Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Swivel Chairs
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century French Baroque Armchairs
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Armchairs
Silk, Giltwood
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Canvas, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Baroque Stools
Upholstery, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Chairs
Leather
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Armchairs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Velvet, Cane, Wood
2010s Japanese Other Chairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood
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2010s Turkish Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century British Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1880s French Louis XIV Armchairs
Textile, Wood, Walnut
Antique 1880s English Victorian Dining Room Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Nautical Objects
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1940s Armchairs
20th Century Italian Armchairs
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.
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