Early 20th Century Rocking Rattan
Early 20th Century Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Wood
20th Century English Victorian Rocking Chairs
Rattan
Early 20th Century British Rocking Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Rattan, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile, Wood
20th Century Italian Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer
Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer
Gold, Silver, Bronze
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer
Lacquer
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Cane, Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Lacquer
Giltwood, Lacquer
Vintage 1980s Italian Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century American Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
20th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Hickory
Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Adirondack Stools
Hickory
Vintage 1930s Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Rattan, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Italian Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Rocking Chairs
20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wicker, Paint
Early 20th Century Swedish Rocking Chairs
Bentwood
Early 20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Hickory, Oak, Rattan
Early 20th Century Victorian Rocking Chairs
Wicker, Rattan, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Rattan, Hardwood
Antique 1890s American Aesthetic Movement Rocking Chairs
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane
Early 20th Century American Rustic Armchairs
Hickory, Rattan
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker
Early 20th Century American Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Rosewood
Early 20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Reed, Paint, Wood
Early 20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Rattan, Cane
Vintage 1930s American Outsider and Self Taught Art
Rattan, Reed, Twig, Wood
Early 20th Century American Armchairs
Rattan
Early 20th Century American Armchairs
Rattan
Early 20th Century American Armchairs
Rattan, Cane
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Armchairs
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
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.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
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.