1985 Rare Postmodern Side Chair by Denis Balland For Fermob France
By Fermob
Located in San Diego, CA
, seat and back of lacquered wood slats. Designed by Denis Balland for Fermob, France, c. 1985. Great as
Metal
Rare Bistro Chairs by Denis Balland For Fermob France
By Fermob
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare Postmodern Bistro Chairs by Denis Balland For Fermob France Folding chairs rare hard to find
Steel
1980's Postmodern Sultana Chair by Arrben Italy
By Arrben
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare opportunity chair by Arrben in perforated metal black enameled finish, and polished chrome frame solid sturdy , Made in Italy circa 1980's.
Chrome
Sunburst Flush Mount Light Fixture with Curly Rays, Gilt Iron
By Ferro Art
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching gilt wrought iron sunburst ceiling flush mount in the style of Brutalism. Manufactured by Ferro Art, Spain, 1940s-1950s. Nicely adorned by hammered bubbles at the centra...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
$6,613
H 75 in Dm 12 in
Rare Pop Art Tulip Floor Lamp in Green & Red Painted Metal by Peter Bliss 1980s
By Bliss
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and very cool British Pop Art floor lamp by Peter Bliss. For the collectors, design lovers and enthousiasts of pop art, we are offering this very rare and stylized tulip floo...
Metal
Pair 80s John Risley Inspired Man and Woman Pop Art Bar Stools
By John Risley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
1980s pair of John Risley inspired Pop Art Man and Woman heavy wrought iron chairs or bar stools Offered in a separate listing is the complementary Man and Woman wrought iron two-se...
Wrought Iron
$1,033 / item
H 31.5 in W 18.9 in D 16.54 in
Mid Century Modern Bumerang Chair, Lime Velvet Plushy FR Dedar, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
The “Bumerang Chair” is a characteristic piece of furniture from the Polish People’s Republic (PRL) era. Its name comes from the distinctive shape of the backrest, resembling a boome...
Leather, Textile, Wool, Beech
1980s Postmodern Memphis Style Wall Clock by Milano Series
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nailing the iconic energy of the 1980s, this vibrant Memphis style wall clock by Milano Series features bold geometric shapes and bright primary colors and all the playful and irrev...
Glass, Plastic
Swedish Designer, Sofa, Birch, Fabric, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A stained birch and floral printed fabric sofa designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1940s. Dimensions: 30.5” H x 70” W x 34” D Seat Height (inches): 14.75" Arm Height (inches): 23"...
Fabric, Birch
Unavailable|$781
H 20.08 in Dm 3.55 in
Michel Aroutcheff, postmodern blue Pencil table lamp, Ed. Vilac France 1980s
By Pierre Sala
Located in Firenze, IT
Postmodern blue Crayon table lamp designed by Michel Aroutcheff Ed. Vilac France 1980s Neon light. Lacquered wood 51 cm H - 9 cm diam. Conditions: excellent, no defects
Wood
Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Mezzadro Stools
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Dronten, NL
Very early bright red Mezzadro stool designed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta. In the hands of the Castiglioni Brothers, the Mezzadro stool for Zanotta transforms a...
Steel, Chrome
1980s Memphis Stile Double Glass Vase by Italian Glass House Leucos
By Leucos Design Lab
Located in Montclair, NY
A geometric design double vase typical of the Memphis style from the 1980s. Blown in light blue, pink and clear glass, the double vase features one side in a column and the other sid...
Glass
$2,885
H 27.56 in W 106.3 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, 1980s
By Antonio Citterio
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, 1980s
Fabric
Yngve Ekström, Cabinets, Pine, Rattan, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine and rattan cabinets designed by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1960s. Dimensions: 39.25” H x 23.625” W x 14.5” D
Rattan, Pine
Heart Chair by Giulia Maria Ligresti
Located in Geneve, CH
Heart Chair by Giulia Maria Ligresti Dimensions: D 40.5 x W 41 x H 84.5 cm. Materials: Iron, upholstery. Featuring a stylish design that makes it both aesthetically pleasing and fun...
Iron
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.