Cowtan And Tout
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Pillows and Throws
Textile
2010s American Pillows and Throws
Textile
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1930s Side Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Side Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Wood
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Beech
Early 2000s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Oak
Antique 1750s French Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Stools
Lucite
20th Century Club Chairs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Armchairs
Velvet
Vintage 1960s American Patio and Garden Furniture
Vintage 1950s American Modern Armchairs
Vintage 1960s American Lounge Chairs
Teak, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Cotton, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan
Vintage 1950s Swivel Chairs
Fabric
Late 20th Century North American Regency Bergere Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
1990s German Art Deco Sectional Sofas
Chenille
20th Century Unknown Baroque Pillows and Throws
Silk, Velvet
20th Century Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1940s Japanese Art Deco Living Room Sets
Rattan
Early 20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Animal Sculptures
Giltwood
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
Iron
Early 2000s North American Other Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Vintage 1960s Unknown Sofas
Upholstery, Linen
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Benches
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s Danish Modern Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
20th Century American American Classical Wingback Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Beds and Bed Frames
Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century Italian Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Armchairs
Antique 19th Century French Stools
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Antique 1760s British Chinese Chippendale Armchairs
Cane, Beech
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Armchairs
Walnut, Silk
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Chairs
Paint, Velvet, Wood, Cotton
Antique Mid-19th Century European Neoclassical Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Benches
Fabric, Oak
20th Century American Sofas
Rattan, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Italian Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Chippendale Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Cowtan And Tout For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Cowtan And Tout?
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.
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.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.