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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.
- How old are peacock chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023How old peacock chairs are, as well as their origin, has been debated for decades. Not to be confused with the Peacock chair created by Danish furniture maker Hans J. Wegner, the iconic wicker seating design is believed to have first appeared in the Philippines. The American silent film-era actress Norma Talmadge posed in a peacock chair for a promotional photograph, and the seats became a staple of photo shoots, earning acclaim during the mid-century years in the United States when they appeared in publicity materials for prominent musicians and other celebrities. The chair became popular again during the 1960s in Haight-Ashbury, and it was featured at the time in a famous photograph of political activist and Black Panther Party cofounder Huey P. Newton. On 1stDibs, shop a range of peacock chairs.
- What is a wicker peacock chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A wicker peacock chair is a chair made of wicker featuring a very large back that extends up and around, much like a peacock’s feathers when ruffled. This type of chair first appeared in the early 1900s and became very popular for photographs. Shop a collection of wicker furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- When was the Peacock chair made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023There are at least two chairs known to mid-century modern furniture collectors that were called Peacock chairs. Verner Panton, a Danish designer, made his papasan-style Peacock chair in 1960. Another Danish furniture designer, Hans Wegner, created his Peacock chair years earlier in 1947. Shop a selection of vintage Peacock chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You can cord a Hans Wegner peacock chair in a number of ways. Traditionally, the chair featured an over-under weave created by first wrapping the seat with vertical pairs of cord running from the back to the front. Then, artisans worked horizontally, pulling the cord through the vertical pairs. However, you can find many other patterns to try online. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Hans Wegner peacock chairs.
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