Curule Ottoman
Vintage 1940s English Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Oak
Antique 19th Century Victorian Ottomans and Poufs
Tapestry, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hardwood, Mohair
Mid-20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Walnut, Plywood
20th Century Classical Roman Stools
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Spanish Renaissance Revival Stools
Velvet, Walnut, Trimming, Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Benches
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1940s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
Wrought Iron
20th Century Spanish Renaissance Revival Stools
Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1940s Italian Stools
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Brass
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2010s South African Minimalist Night Stands
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights an...
Metal
2010s French Modern Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Wood, Poplar, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Marble
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Benches
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Antique Mid-18th Century Spanish Baroque Farm Tables
Walnut
2010s Vietnamese Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Burl
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights an...
Brass
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
Hardwood
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Greco Roman Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Vintage 1940s Danish Art Deco Benches
Mahogany
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Benches
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Italian Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Stools
Beech
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood
Vintage 1970s North American Neoclassical Benches
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1940s Italian Neoclassical Benches
Vintage 1940s Italian Hollywood Regency Benches
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century English William IV Chairs
Leather, Wood
20th Century American Stools
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Revival Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
Antique Early 19th Century French Renaissance Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s Mexican Spanish Colonial Footstools
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Benches
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1940s Mexican Spanish Colonial Stools
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Benches
Iron, Brass
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Stools
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century Italian Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Gold Leaf
20th Century French Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1930s Italian Stools
Mid-20th Century French Chesterfield Lounge Chairs
Leather, Beech
20th Century Stools
Antique 19th Century Benches
Curule Ottoman For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Curule Ottoman?
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.