Cheetah Stool
Vintage 1970s French Footstools
Textile, Wood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1920s Art Nouveau Stools
Iron
Antique Late 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Animal Skin, Lucite
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Stools
Horn, Cowhide
Vintage 1970s French Louis XVI Benches
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Hollywood Regency Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Metal
Vintage 1940s French Stools
Iron
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Stools
Fabric, Faux Bamboo
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Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets
Iron
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chaise Longues
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
Alabaster
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wood, Teak
Antique 1880s French Victorian Decorative Art
Porcelain
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Chaise Longues
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Rustic Apothecary Cabinets
Pine, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Leather, Fabric, Alpaca, Mohair, Linen, Velvet, Wood, Oak, Walnut
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Ebony, Oak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chaise Longues
Fabric, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Stools
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Rustic Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
20th Century French Aubusson Tapestries
Wool
2010s Italian Vases
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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