Century Arm Chair
Antique Mid-19th Century European Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Oak
Vintage 1980s Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
20th Century American Armchairs
Vintage 1970s Unknown Armchairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Pine
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Teak
20th Century American Lounge Chairs
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Chippendale Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century North American Chinese Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Colonial Armchairs
Velvet, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bentwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Regency Revival Side Chairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century Armchairs
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Egyptian Country Chairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Antique Mid-18th Century English Queen Anne Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Acrylic, Lucite
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Chairs
Linen, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Dutch Other Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Egyptian Country Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Wingback Chairs
Fabric
Late 20th Century American Modern Swivel Chairs
Brocade
21st Century and Contemporary Egyptian Country Chairs
Oak, Cane
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Chairs
Hickory, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Antique 19th Century North American Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Modern Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
Leather, Bentwood
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Regency Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Walnut
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Birch
Antique 18th Century Bergere Chairs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1910s Scottish Chairs
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century English Chippendale Chairs
Mahogany
Late 20th Century French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Late 20th Century Chairs
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
Other
Late 20th Century Chinese Aesthetic Movement Chairs
Upholstery, Bamboo
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Teak
20th Century American Chinoiserie Chairs
Bamboo
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
PVC, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Bergere Chairs
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Chairs
Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
20th Century English Chippendale Chairs
Wood
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Century Arm Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Century Arm Chair?
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 ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A chair with arms is an armchair.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Chairs with arms are called armchairs, and there are many styles of them. Examples include club, wingback and roll arm chairs. Find a collection of armchairs on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023There is no difference between a club chair and an armchair; a club chair is a type of armchair. An armchair is any chair with arms, while a club chair is a wide, comfortable type of armchair that is typically clad in leather and features thick upholstery. All club chairs are armchairs, but not all armchairs are club chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of club chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Dining room chairs with arms require more space than armless ones.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023An accent chair with no arms is typically called a slipper chair. These upholstered chairs originated in Europe during the 18th century and often served as seating in bedrooms. Today, people place slipper chairs in seating areas as well as bedrooms. Find a variety of slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dining chair with arms is called a carver chair or elbow chair. It is a traditional dining chair with arms added to it for a more structured look and is a popular option for dining seats for a spot to comfortably rest your arms. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Dining chairs without arms are called side chairs. Their counterpart, the armchair, is often found at the head of the table, with the side chairs filling in the seats along the side of the table. Shop a collection of side chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dining room chairs with arms are simply called armchairs. They are not to be confused with armchairs used in seating areas. A dining chair without arms is a side chair. You'll find a collection of antique and vintage dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a mid-century chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
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