Diana The Huntress Bench
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Benches
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Benches
Oak
People Also Browsed
Antique 1890s English Regency Benches
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Marble, Carrara Marble
20th Century English Gothic Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Antique Early 19th Century English Jacobean Benches
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bookcases
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Benches
Wood, Paint
Early 18th Century Baroque Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Cabinets
Walnut, Glass
Antique 1860s French Gothic Revival Benches
Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Murano Glass
Antique Late 19th Century North American Benches
Paint
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Pine
Antique 1790s Italian Louis XVI Benches
Silk, Upholstery, Wood, Beech, Textile
Early 20th Century American American Classical Benches
Bronze
Antique 1770s British Chippendale Beds and Bed Frames
Damask, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Demi-lune Tables
Marble
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
Antique Late 19th Century Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
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.