Chateau Stool
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Stools
Tapestry, Giltwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Stools
Antique 19th Century French Gothic Revival Benches
Chestnut
Antique Early 1900s French Baroque Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Wood
Early 2000s French Post-Modern Console Tables
Plexiglass, Oak
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Antique 1770s Swedish Rococo Tray Tables
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Dining Room Tables
Marble, Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Benches
Maple
Antique Early 1800s French Louis XV Wardrobes and Armoires
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Textiles
Silk
Antique 19th Century French Wardrobes and Armoires
Steel
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Daybeds
Iron
Late 20th Century Arts and Crafts Stools
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Country Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood
2010s American Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Bedroom Sets
Ormolu
20th Century Italian Belle Époque Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
20th Century Chandeliers and Pendants
Cut Glass
Early 20th Century French Directoire Settees
Upholstery, Cane, Ash
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Vintage 1930s French Modern Stools
Steel
Antique 19th Century French Stools
Giltwood
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Stools
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Stools
Antique 1880s French Victorian Footstools
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Egyptian Revival Lounge Chairs
Brass
Antique 16th Century Spanish Renaissance Stools
Oak
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British British Colonial Stools
Oak
20th Century French Footstools
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Stools
Mahogany
20th Century Desks
Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
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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