Chippendale Ladderback
Early 20th Century American George III Armchairs
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Chippendale Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English Chippendale Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 1880s English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1920s English Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Chippendale Side Chairs
Antique 19th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Chairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British George III Chairs
Early 20th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Armchairs
Mahogany
People Also Browsed
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Brass
Early 20th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Walnut
Antique 18th Century English George III Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 1880s English Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Beech, Rush
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Ming Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Mahogany
18th Century Animal Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor, Engraving
2010s Console Tables
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 1760s English George III Armchairs
Mahogany
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps
Metal, Brass
Antique 1790s Irish George III Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Chinese Other 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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