French Meridienne
Antique Late 19th Century French Directoire Sofas
Antique 1820s French Charles X Sofas
Wool, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century French Empire Daybeds
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century French Gustavian Chaise Longues
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Recent Sales
2010s French Modern Chaise Longues
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Longues
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Daybeds
Leather
Antique 1810s French Empire Daybeds
Mahogany, Silk
Antique 19th Century French Daybeds
Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Sofas
Wood, Velvet
Antique 1830s French Settees
Muslin, Walnut
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Chaise Longues
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Vintage 1930s French Benches
Leather, Velvet
Antique 19th Century French Daybeds
Mahogany, Linen
Early 20th Century French Chaise Longues
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Longues
20th Century French Art Deco Chaise Longues
Fabric, Textile, Wood
20th Century French Daybeds
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Chaise Longues
Wood, Cotton, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Chaise Longues
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Daybeds
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Chaise Longues
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Longues
Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Chaise Longues
Leather, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Country Daybeds
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Antique 19th Century French Daybeds
Wood
Early 20th Century French Daybeds
Beech, Velvet
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Daybeds
Textile, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Daybeds
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Chaise Longues
Fabric, Wood
Antique 1860s French Louis XV Chaise Longues
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Models and Miniatures
Leather
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Daybeds
Muslin, Wood
Early 20th Century French Daybeds
Mahogany, Velvet
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Loveseats
Leather
Antique 19th Century French Rococo Chaise Longues
Early 2000s French Chaise Longues
Fabric
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Daybeds
Velvet, Wood
Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Chaise Longues
Wool, Cotton, Seagrass, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Empire Settees
Early 20th Century French Chaise Longues
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Wood, Fabric
Early 20th Century French Benches
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
20th Century French Daybeds
Leather
Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Sofas
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Bronze
Antique 1820s French Charles X Daybeds
Birdseye Maple
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Mid-20th Century French Louis Philippe Chaise Longues
Fabric, Beech
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Vintage 1980s French Napoleon III Daybeds
Beech
Antique 19th Century French Loveseats
Mahogany, Silk, Upholstery
Antique Early 19th Century French Daybeds
People Also Browsed
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Benches
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Antique Late 19th Century European Moorish Architectural Elements
Wrought Iron
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Dining Room Tables
Marble, Iron
Vintage 1930s French Neoclassical Settees
Wood, Velvet
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Wardrobes and Armoires
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Wardrobes and Armoires
Metal
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Walnut
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Settees
Brass, Steel, Iron
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
20th Century English Country Sofas
Upholstery, Beech, Oak
Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Textile, Paint
Antique 1720s Spanish Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Giltwood, Paint
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Chaise Longues
Giltwood
Early 20th Century Unknown Louis XV Daybeds
Cane, Wood
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Vanities
Brass
French Meridienne For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Meridienne?
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
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Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
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.