Dolphin Chair
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s Spanish Corner Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Antique 1820s French Restauration Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Unknown Neoclassical Revival Bergere Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Granite, Aluminum
2010s English Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chairs
Fruitwood
20th Century Swedish Chairs
Wood, Burl
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Chairs
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Chairs
Leather, Ebony
Mid-20th Century Italian Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Rococo Side Chairs
Silver Leaf
20th Century British Regency Side Chairs
Brass, Steel
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Ormolu
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1880s French Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Oak, Leather
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
Antique 1830s French Empire Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Fruitwood
Antique 1810s French Empire Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century German Empire Bergere Chairs
Beech
Antique 1830s French Empire Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 1820s French Restauration Armchairs
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Fur...
Aluminum
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
20th Century American Empire Armchairs
Wood
Antique 1830s Italian Regency Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique 1810s French Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Italian Modern Animal Sculptures
Murano Glass
Vintage 1980s American Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Italian Modern Animal Sculptures
Murano Glass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century English Edwardian Armchairs
Bone, Upholstery, Rosewood
Antique 19th Century English Chippendale Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Armchairs
Wood
Late 20th Century Canadian Chaise Longues
Fabric, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Renaissance Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut
20th Century American Late Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Fabric
Antique Mid-19th Century French Charles X Armchairs
Leather, Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Silk, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Upholstery, Velvet, Giltwood
Vintage 1940s American Empire Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Antique 1850s Paintings
Oak
Antique 18th Century English George III Armchairs
Giltwood
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Dolphin Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Dolphin Chair?
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.
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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
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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.