Clam Chair Ottoman
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Faux Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s European Post-Modern Side Chairs
Chrome
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1940s Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Bentwood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Beech
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
1990s American Post-Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Upholstery
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Hide, Sheepskin, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Beech
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Faux Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Oak, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Oak
Vintage 1950s Patio and Garden Furniture
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
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.
- Who designed the clam chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Arnold Madsen designed the Clam chair. In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen, an upholsterer by profession who created it in Copenhagen in 1944. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Clam chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Is the Clam chair comfortable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Yes, the Clam chair is comfortable. Arnold Madsen designed the angle of the seat and the curving contours of the iconic chair to fit the shape of the human body so that the piece could provide optimal support. Although for decades, the piece was the victim of cheap reproductions and misattributions, to fellow Scandinavians Viggo Boesen and Martin Olsen, among others, in recent years it has steadily climbed the ranks in the trophy market, going for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction. Today, it’s one of the fashion set’s most beloved pieces, with fans as starry as Los Angeles art dealer Maggie Kayne and style setter Vanessa Traina. Find a range of Clam chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023No, chairs and ottomans don’t have to match. While you can often purchase matching ottomans for chairs, there is no rule about how to style furniture. Pieces with a similar shape, color or material can coordinate even if they aren’t a matched set. Find a range of chairs and ottomans on 1stDibs.
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