$3,200 / set
Pair of Swedish Spindle Dowel Back Chairs
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice spindle back chairs with newly upholstered seats.
Upholstery, Birch, Maple
Classic Danish Mid Century Modernist Spindle Back Walnut Lounge Chair
By Finn Juhl
Located in Buffalo, NY
Handsome design. Unusual Dowel Back stretcher..Retains original seat and back cushions..Age appropriate wear.
Fabric, Walnut
$1,185Sale Price|19% Off
Aesthetic Movement Side Chair in Walnut by E.W. Godwin, circa 1885
By Goodwin
Located in Faversham, GB
Godwin for William Smee & Son, London. Turned spindle and dowel back with legs united by six-shaped stretchers.
Walnut, Bamboo, Cane, Rush
Mademoiselle mid century easy chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Edsbyverken, Sweden
By Edsby-verken, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Forserum, SE
Tapiovaara's update featured a refined dowel back and a generously wide seat, resulting in the now-iconic Fanette 55T.
Beech, Plywood
Transitional Andrew Gower for Jasper Group Portrait Management Swivel Desk Chair
By Jasper Seating Co., Andrew Gower
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Specifications: Upholstery: Black Naugahyde Button detail on the back creates a reverse diamond pattern Maple regency arms hand-carved and shaped Maple carved 5-star base featur...
Steel
Cleo Baldon X-Form Chairs Restored with Acrylic Dowels and Sunbrella Upholstery
By Cleo Baldon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four Mid Century classic Cleo Baldon Style chairs - the four have been completely restored with powder coated finish in white satin, and sunbrella fabric - what makes the four stand ...
Metal
Handcrafted mixed wood low chairs with cantilevered spindle back and tiered base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
There is a visible tonal contrast between the darker seat platform and lighter spindle assembly. Four rounded dowel spindles support a cantilevered back rail that overhangs the spind...
Wood, Ash, Oak
Early Industrial Wood Rolling Drying Rack with Steel Hardware
Located in Dekalb, IL
The rack features a series of evenly spaced shelves fitted with wooden dowels spanning front to back, designed to hold freshly painted, printed, or finished items while allowing airf...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Paul McCobb "Shovel" Dining Chairs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Such a unique design with ribbed dowel like backs and a shovel style seat out of maple sitting on a welded iron base with cast ball feet.
Iron
Vintage Renaissance Revival Savonarola Chair in Carved Walnut
Located in Delray Beach, FL
The sculptural X-form base and carved back stretcher reference classic Florentine forms, while the hand-carved details and visible wooden dowel construction give the piece a strong a...
Walnut
American Studio Craft Sculptural Laminated Wood Rocking Chair by Timothy Ten Pas
Located in Troy, MI
Incredible biomorphic studio craft rocking chair by Timothy Ten Pas Grand Haven Michigan, USA Circa 1980's Handcrafted of laminated ash with a freeform openwork frame Sculpted ribb...
Plywood
Mid-Century American 4-Piece Walnut and Floral Fabric Upholstered Sectional Sofa
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century walnut sectional sofa comprised of four pieces, two straight sections, one with a left arm, one with a right arm, and two curved sections, upholstered in a brown...
Walnut
Oak and Leather Dining Chairs by Hans J. Wegner, 1950s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A dining chair having exposed oiled white oak frames with gently curved backs, tapered dowel legs, and natural leather upholstery.
Leather
Pair of Loewenstein Rush Seat Counter Stools
By Loewenstein
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of counter-height stools by Loewenstein features rounded dowel legs, gently arched backs, and original handwoven rush seats that keep things grounded.
Rush, Wood
Set Of Eight Antique Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Dining Side Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Various signs of age and use include a repair to one back leg with dowels retouched. Stable age cracks and a small loss to one crest rail and time-borne wear and aging to the wood.
Fabric, Mahogany
$3,426 / set
Pair of 1970s Brutalist Solid Oak Side Chairs
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
The design emphasizes structure and material honesty: thick square legs, open slatted backs, and visible dowel connections give the chairs a strong, sculptural presence.
Wood
Exceptional 14thC Carved Tibetan Book Cover. Superb Central Figure
Located in Ukiah, CA
There is compelling evidence that this piece was repurposed as a shelf or furniture element during the Cultural Revolution to protect it from destruction. The dowel marks on the back...
Wood
$2,640Sale Price / set|20% Off
Dakota Jackson Maple Wood "Library" armchairs, Set of Four
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A combination of kiln-dried hardwood and laminated veneer faces and backs, glued, doweled, and corner-blocked. Connections are reinforced with dowels, mortise-and-tenon joints, and s...
Maple
Set Of Four Danish Mid Century Modern Teak And FauxLeather Dining Chairs
By Dyrlund
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The classic Mid Century dining chair with shaped teak frame and dowel construction. Upholstered back and seat in black leather.
Teak, Faux Leather
A Pair of “Model 83” Armchairs by Nanna Ditzel for Søren Willadsen, Denmark 1952
By Søren Willadsen, Nanna Ditzel
Located in Utrecht, NL
Each sculpted leg is made of a single piece of timber that ascend gently, giving stability to the curved backs. Rounded oak dowels plug the holes in which the fastenings for the back...
Fabric, Wood
Post Modern Studio Chair Sculpture Valet in Ebonized Oak
Located in Miami, FL
Colorful accents that accentuate the purpose, like the 2 open compartments on the horizontal planes, and the 2 notched dowels on the back.
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron Curved Sofa Loveseat for Votre Maison, France 1960's
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in New York, NY
The frame has the usual hallmarks of their production with the extended end and thick pencil-shaped legs with a curved back and vertical dowels holding the cushion. In great conditio...
Velvet, Oak
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Asian Modern Mahogany Floating Seat Armchairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Wide set arms with floating seat on doweled spacers. Tall backs with top carved wood open handle.
Mahogany, Silk
Oak and Leather Dining Chairs by Hans J. Wegner, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A superbly crafted dining chair largely devoid of extraneous detailing, having exposed oiled white oak frames with gently curved backs and tapered dowel-form legs and natural leather...
Leather, Oak
Oak and Leather Dining Chairs by Hans J. Wegner, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A superbly crafted dining chair largely devoid of extraneous detailing, having exposed oiled white oak frames with gently curved backs and tapered dowel-form legs and natural leather...
Leather, Oak
$35,204 / item
Antique Queen Anne 18th Century Oak Staircase
Located in Ware, GB
The piece comes complete with original oak dowels Dating back to 1710s the staircase was an original architectural element of the Lake District property.
Wood, Oak
1950s Vintage Danish Sawhorse Lounge Chairs - A Set Of 2
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Monrovia, CA
Rare Early Design With Open Or Exposed Back Rest. The Teak Wooden Dowels Along The Back Support And At The Back Of The Paddle Designed Armrests.
Naugahyde, Teak
Transitional Andrew Gower for Jasper Group Portrait Dining Chairs - Set of 4
By Andrew Gower, Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The frame interior is hardwood joined with dowels. The back has polypropylene webbing and polyurethane foam with Dacron wrap.
Fabric, Wood, Maple
Rare Pair of Wishbone Chairs by Arthur Espenet Carpenter
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Atlanta, GA
In grained walnut with visible dowel construction, a shaped back that continues intoto the contoured arms.
Walnut
$2,020 / item
GG01 Walnut Chair by Togigi
Located in Geneve, CH
An armchair silhouette with naturally placed armrests, a back cylinder, structural dowels, and stainless steel hardware.
Jacquard, Walnut
$2,020 / item
GG01 Walnut Chair by Togigi
Located in Geneve, CH
An armchair silhouette with naturally placed armrests, a back cylinder, structural dowels, and stainless steel hardware.
Jacquard, Walnut
1912 "Panoramic View of New York City and Vicinity" by Jacob Ruppert
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
It is presented on period dowels and backed on its original linen. Jacob Ruppert was born in New York City in 1842 to Bavarian immigrants.
Paper
"ND83" Chair By Jørgen Ditzel and Nanna Ditzel for Søren Willadsen, Denmark 1952
By Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik, Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel
Located in Utrecht, NL
Each sculpted leg is made of a single piece of timber that ascend gently, giving stability to the curved back. Rounded oak dowels plug the holes in which the fastenings for the back ...
Fabric, Wood
Dauphin County Pennsylvania Paint Decorated Dower Chest Made for Madlen Nafzer
Located in York County, PA
This had been broken, presumably at the same time, but the original piece was kept and I personally doweled it back into place. I made no attempt to replace the missing side portion,...
Wood
Chest or Stollentruhe, Early 16th Century, German Gothic, Oak Chest, Original
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
The bottom consists of a single board cut into the sides and shallow rebates in the stiles. The front and back boards are dowelled into the bottom boards.
Oak
Rare (Late Medieval) 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest or Stollentruhe
Located in Dallas, TX
The bottom consists of a single board cut into the sides and shallow rebates in the stiles. The front and back boards are dowelled into the bottom boards.
Wrought Iron
John Van Koert for Drexel Elegant Mid-Century Lounge Chair
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in 3 Oaks, MI
Exceptional profile and flowing sexy lines to this Mid-Century Moderne lounge chair by John Van Koert for Drexel. Turned dowel back leg support adds nice classical touch.
Unavailable
H 29 in W 22.5 in D 23 in
“24GT” Side chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, c. 1959
Located in Los Gatos, CA
., made in Denmark, C. 1959. Dowel back construction, solid teak wood with hand-rubbed oil finish and woven Danish paper cord seat.
Papercord, Teak
Waka Waka Contemporary Leaning Back Wood Dining Chair
By WAKA WAKA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Features dowel connectors with an inset back perspective, an ample seat bed and clean joinery.
Plywood
Waka Waka Contemporary Tall Ladder Back Wood Dining Chair
By WAKA WAKA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Waka Waka tall ladder back dining chair features repeated dowel rungs as the back support detail with an ample seat bed and a bumped foot support structure.
Plywood
Unavailable
H 35.5 in W 17.25 in D 22 in
Set of Six Ladder Back Dining Chairs by Robsjohn-Gibbings, American, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Hoboken, NJ
Set of six dining chairs, mahogany dowel frame, ladder back, and upholstered seats.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Unavailable
H 31.89 in W 21.46 in D 24.02 in
Tubular Steel Chair Model No. 1242 by Rudolf Vichr, 1930s
By Rudolf Vichr
Located in Reichenschwand, DE
The molded beech plywood seat, composed of three slats with external dowels at the back, exemplifies the functional yet artistic approach of the era.
Steel, Nickel
Mer-Catgirlfriend
Located in New Orleans, LA
It is hung from the wooden dowel sewn into the back of the piece. It was completed in 2022.
Fabric, Textile, Thread
Mer-Catboyfriend
Located in New Orleans, LA
It is hung from the wooden dowel sewn in the back of the piece. It was completed in 2021.
Fabric, Textile, Thread
Sunflower Catgirlfriend
Located in New Orleans, LA
"Sunflower Catgirlfriend" is not framed. It is hung from a dowel on the back of the piece. It was completed in 2022.
Textile
Strawberry Catgirlfriends
Located in New Orleans, LA
"Strawberry Catgirlfriends" is not framed. It is hung from a dowel on the back of the piece. It was completed in 2022.
Textile
Cyclist Catgirlfriend
Located in New Orleans, LA
"Cyclist Catgirlfriend" is not framed. It is hung from a dowel on the back of the piece. It was completed in 2022.
Textile
Forest Catboyfriend
Located in New Orleans, LA
"Forest Catboyfriend" is not framed and is hung from a dowel on the back of the piece. It was completed in 2021.
Textile
LOOM Bench
Located in Manchester, GB
The bench features hand-cut bridle joinery in the armrest and turned dowels supporting the back. This piece is from a collection of work exploring the historic wool industry in the...
Wool, Ash, Oak
Unavailable
H 38.19 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Povera Chair by Antonio Aricò for Delvis Unlimited Rosewood and Copper
By Antonio Aricò
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The simplicity of the povera chair’s shape is enriched through the use of the rosewood, a type of Brazilian toulipwood, with a small copper dowel inserted between the back rest’s mir...
Copper
BOOKCASE Peter Waals Rosewood Cotswold Arts and Crafts
By Peter Waals
Located in London, GB
There are exposed dovetails to the arched plinth and panelled and dowel construction to the back with dowel construction to the doors.
Rosewood
Set of 4 Borge Mogensen dining chairs
Located in Seattle, WA
Simple yet elegant, the model 122 chair is composed of a beech wood frame, with curved laminated plywood seat and back elements faced in full grain teak wood, with exposed dowels to ...
Teak, Beech
Eugene lounge chair by Stefan Diez
By Stefan Diez
Located in San Francisco, CA
German designer, Stefan Diez, creates this hand made piece using traditional wood working techniques of bent oak veneers, glued and doweled. With a high back, wide, deep seat shell a...
Upholstery
Unavailable
H 45 in W 27.5 in D 21.5 in
L. & J.G Stickley Spindle Armchair and Dining Chairs, Set of 10
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in Chicago, IL
Stickley in solid oak - eight armless dining chairs stately backs, iconic dowel joinery, rich honey colored wood Measures: Side chair 18 deep 40 3/4 high Internal seat depth 1...
Cotton, Oak
Unavailable
H 31.75 in W 25.75 in D 20 in
Silo Armchair by Fern, Wood Chair with Wood, Leather or Hickory Bark Seat
By Fern
Located in Hudson, NY
The chair features large turned dowels on the front and back with each turning representing a different pattern - no two are alike.
Cherry, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Unavailable
H 31.75 in W 20 in D 20 in
Silo Dining Chair by Fern, Wood Chair with Wood, Leather or Hickory Bark Seat
By Fern
Located in Hudson, NY
The chair features large turned dowels on the front and back with each turning representing a different pattern - no two are alike.
Cherry, Maple, Oak, Walnut
A Dowel Back Walnut Lounge Chair by George Nakashima Studio
Located in Ferndale, MI
A Dowel Back Walnut Lounge Chair by George Nakashima Studio
Elegant Slipper Chairs in Walnut with Dowel Backs by Widdicomb
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of slipper chairs in walnut with turned dowel backs by Widdicomb, American 1960's. Refinished and reupholstered.
Elegant Slipper Chairs in Walnut with Dowel Backs by Widdicomb
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of slipper chairs in walnut with turned dowel backs by Widdicomb, American 1960's. Refinished and reupholstered.
Four Paul McCobb Dark Maple Dowel Barrel Back Dining Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Tapered dowels and two tiered back with a carved shovel seat.
Pair of Lounge Chairs designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of lounge chairs Model WWZ in walnut with vertical dowel back design by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American 1950's
Pair of Lounge Chairs designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of lounge chairs Model WWZ in walnut with vertical dowel back design by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American 1950's Reupholstered in ultrasuede
Pair of Lounge Chairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of lounge chairs Model WWZ in walnut with vertical dowel back design by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American 1950's Reupholstered and refinished
Walnut Armchair by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings
Located in New York, NY
Features rounded walnut frame with dowel back and removable back cushion. Original green upholstery; also available fully recovered/refinished.
Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery
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.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
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.