Where should a wingback chair be placed?

There is no hard and fast rule about where a wingback chair should be placed. Historically, people used the large chairs in front of block drafts, and you can continue this tradition in your home. Alternatively, you can place one wherever it fits the layout of your room. To show off the distinctive shape of the chair, it is a good idea to position it somewhere that allows it to be viewed from the sides and back as well as the front. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of wingback chairs.

What are wingback chairs called?

Wingback chairs are sometimes called fireside chairs, easy chairs or grandfather chairs. However, many people simply call them wingback chairs or wing chairs. The name comes from the two curved wings mounted on the sides of the backrest. On 1stDibs, find a variety of wingback chairs.

What is the purpose of a wingback chair?

The purpose of a wingback chair is to provide seating. Usually, these upholstered chairs go in seating areas and allow people to rest comfortably while carrying on conversations, reading and performing other activities. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique and vintage wingback chairs.

Is a wingback chair comfortable?

Whether a wingback chair is comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, many wingback chairs feature plush cushioning, and the tall backs can provide ample back support. A wingback’s protruding arms were initially designed to protect a sitter from drafts or intense heat from a fireplace. This may be obsolete in the 21st century, but the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spin offs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair). On 1stDibs, shop a range of wingback chairs.

Chinoiserie Wingback Chair

Q: What era is a wingback chair from?

Wingback chairs emerged during the 17th-century era. The wings on classic wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose, or did, when they were first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explanation is why the wingback is strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years. Shop a selection of wingback chairs on 1stDibs.

Brunschwig And Fils Chair

Chinoiserie Cushion

Chinoiserie Toile

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Pair of Chinoiserie Carved Walnut Wingbacks Chairs with Caning

$960Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 34 in W 24 in D 24 in

Pair of Chinoiserie Carved Walnut Wingbacks Chairs with Caning

Located in West Hartford, CT

Pair of vintage carved walnut wingback chairs newly upholstered in rich and luxurious Chinoiserie

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Great pair of 1940's/60's chinoiserie decorated wing chairs

Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY

A very chic pair of mid century Asian style chinoiserie decorated wing chairs newly re-upholsterd

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Vintage 1940s American Wingback Chairs

Mid-Century Pink Chinoiserie Wingback Chair Ball and Claw Feet

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H 44 in W 30.75 in D 33 in

Mid-Century Pink Chinoiserie Wingback Chair Ball and Claw Feet

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is so fun! It is a wingback chair in a pink/deep magenta chinoiserie fabric. The frame is a

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Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Chairs

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Modern Wingback Chair with Red Chinoiserie Print Upholstery

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H 47 in W 36 in D 36 in

Modern Wingback Chair with Red Chinoiserie Print Upholstery

Located in West Hartford, CT

A modern take on the Classic wingback, with a larger profile that invites you to sink in. It is

Category

Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Wingback Chairs

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Brass

Chinoiserie Upholstered Queen Anne Wingback with Ottoman

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H 43 in W 29 in L 43 in

Chinoiserie Upholstered Queen Anne Wingback with Ottoman

Located in Rio Vista, CA

chinoiserie toile fabric depicting exotic birds in trees and foliate designs. Mahogany chair frame with

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20th Century American Queen Anne Wingback Chairs

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Fabric, Mahogany

Pair of Wingback Chairs in Brunschwig & Fil Crewel Upholstery

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H 42 in W 34 in D 32 in

Pair of Wingback Chairs in Brunschwig & Fil Crewel Upholstery

Located in West Hartford, CT

Pair of classic wingback chairs upholstered in red and white Brunschwig and Fil embroidered crewel

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Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Wingback Chairs

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Mahogany, Upholstery

Vintage Chinoiserie Pagoda Arm Chairs

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H 42 in W 27 in D 27 in

Vintage Chinoiserie Pagoda Arm Chairs

By James Mont

Located in Southampton, NJ

A striking pair of Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie armchairs with all original ebonized wood frames

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Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Wingback Chairs

Materials

Brass

Georgian Style Chinoiserie Decorated Wing Chair

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H 40.75 in W 26.25 in D 25.5 in

Georgian Style Chinoiserie Decorated Wing Chair

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

George III style chinoiserie decorated wing chair with lattice decoration, circa 1930. I have been

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Vintage 1930s Unknown Wingback Chairs

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Paint, Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Modern Chinoiserie Armchairs

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H 42.5 in W 27 in D 25 in

Pair of Modern Chinoiserie Armchairs

Located in Astoria, NY

Chinoiserie pair of armchairs in the manner of James Mont, in ebonized wood with carved figural arm

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Mid-20th Century Wingback Chairs

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Hardwood

Brunschwig & Fils Leopard Chinoiserie On 1930s Wingback Chair W/ Down Cushion

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H 37.25 in W 33.5 in D 36 in

Brunschwig & Fils Leopard Chinoiserie On 1930s Wingback Chair W/ Down Cushion

By Brunschwig & Fils

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a 1930s wingback chair that was upholstered in the 1970s in this wonderful Brunschwig and

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Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Wingback Chairs

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Upholstery, Mahogany

French Louis XV Wingback Arm Chair in Chinoiserie Toile Mahogany and Fabric

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H 44 in W 33 in D 32 in

French Louis XV Wingback Arm Chair in Chinoiserie Toile Mahogany and Fabric

Located in West Hartford, CT

Stunning red Toile fabric surrounds this French wingback chair. The cotton blend fabric is fairly

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Wingback Chairs

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Fabric, Mahogany

Pair of Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Wing Chairs

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H 47.5 in W 24.13 in D 23 in

Pair of Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Wing Chairs

Located in Essex, MA

A pair of stylish chinoiserie faux bamboo wing chairs, beautifully crafted of carved wood to

Category

20th Century American Chinoiserie Wingback Chairs

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie-Style Caned Wing Chair

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H 45.75 in W 27 in D 23 in

Chinoiserie-Style Caned Wing Chair

Located in Hudson, NY

Stylish black painted and decorated in Chinoiserie-style wing back chair. Caned back and newly

Category

Early 20th Century Wingback Chairs

Materials

Wood, Cane

Pair of Chinoiserie Wingback Chairs

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H 48 in W 24 in D 22 in

Pair of Chinoiserie Wingback Chairs

Located in Southampton, NY

Pair of faux bamboo chinoiserie wingback chairs. Carved wood, caned seats, distressed yellow paint.

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20th Century American Chinoiserie Wingback Chairs

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Cane, Paint, Wood

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Finding the Right Wingback-chairs for You

They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s.

Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace.

Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spinoffs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair).

Shop the most innovative versions of wingback chairs today on 1stDibs.

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