Continental Settee
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Settees
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Rustic Settees
Willow
Antique 19th Century European Louis XV Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Country Settees
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1970s European Settees
Wicker
Vintage 1930s European Louis XV Settees
Walnut
Early 20th Century European Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Rustic Settees
Leather
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Settees
Birch, Fruitwood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Velvet, Leather
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Settees
Silk, Fruitwood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood, Down
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Settees
Velvet, Fruitwood
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Sofas
Fabric
2010s American Louis XVI Loveseats
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Velvet, Wood
People Also Browsed
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Mohair, Silk, Giltwood, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Bergere Chairs
Linen
Antique 1890s German Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century English Windsor Chairs
Yew
Mid-20th Century English Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Daybeds
Rosewood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Living Room Sets
Fabric, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Settees
Giltwood
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Antique 19th Century Northern Irish Victorian Bookcases
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XVI Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Giltwood
Antique Early 1900s Country Windsor Chairs
Beech
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Settees
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Scottish Windsor Chairs
Ash, Elm
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Settees
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian George III Settees
Leather, Wood
20th Century Canapes
Wood
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Loveseats
Walnut, Pine
Antique 19th Century European Settees
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Settees
Fruitwood
Antique Early 19th Century European Directoire Settees
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
Early 20th Century Unknown Settees
Walnut, Leather
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Settees
Wood, Paint, Fabric
Antique Early 19th Century Neoclassical Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1790s European Neoclassical Settees
Other
Antique 19th Century European Settees
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century European Louis XV Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Antique Mid-18th Century European George II Settees
Velvet, Walnut, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Settees
Rush, Wood
20th Century Settees
Mahogany, Fruitwood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century European Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Brass
Vintage 1940s American Louis XV Settees
Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th Century Scandinavian Neoclassical Settees
Beech
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Settees
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Asian Aesthetic Movement Settees
Bamboo
Antique Late 19th Century European Settees
Mid-20th Century American Empire Settees
Mahogany, Leather
Vintage 1950s English Chesterfield Settees
Leather, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Aesthetic Movement Settees
Bamboo, Wicker
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Silk, Cane, Wood
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Settees
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Fruitwood
20th Century Rococo Revival Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Rococo Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1830s French William IV Benches
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Benches
Cane, Walnut
Antique 1860s Italian Chinoiserie Benches
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s American Louis XVI Living Room Sets
Fabric, Maple
Antique Late 19th Century French Sofas
Beech
Vintage 1980s Austrian Vienna Secession Living Room Sets
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th Century Daybeds
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Daybeds
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century European Neoclassical Settees
Burl
2010s American Modern Settees
Brass
Antique 19th Century European Louis XVI Settees
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal
Antique 17th Century Asian Anglo-Indian Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century Empire Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique 1870s Scottish Victorian Chaise Longues
Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Georgian Cupboards
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Armchairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Federal Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century European Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Antique 19th Century Settees
Continental Settee For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Continental Settee?
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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.