Early Tank Chair
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Birch, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Mohair, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Benches
Enamel, Iron
People Also Browsed
2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
2010s North American Modern Side Chairs
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
20th Century Neoclassical Dining Room Tables
Glass, Plaster
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Beech
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Birch
Vintage 1970s Italian Baroque Tables
Silver
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s American Modern Dining Room Tables
Marble, Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1960s American Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Fiberglass
Early 20th Century French Empire Center Tables
Malachite, Ormolu
Recent Sales
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1940s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Birch
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Damask, Cane, Wood
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Cowhide, Plywood
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Plywood
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch
Vintage 1930s Finnish Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Mohair, Birch
Vintage 1950s Finnish Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch
Vintage 1950s American Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Club Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Linen, Bentwood
Vintage 1940s Finnish Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool
20th Century Italian Floor Lamps
Plexiglass
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Plywood
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Birch
Vintage 1940s Finnish Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Upholstery, Birch
Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Birch
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch, Sheepskin
Vintage 1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Walnut, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Benches
Enamel, Iron
20th Century Italian Floor Lamps
Plexiglass
20th Century Swedish Club Chairs
Birch, Upholstery
20th Century Finnish Chairs
Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery
20th Century Finnish Club Chairs
Birch
20th Century Finnish Chairs
Wool, Upholstery
20th Century Finnish Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch, Hide
Vintage 1930s Finnish Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Early 20th Century American Chairs
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Leather, Plywood
Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Birch
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Birch
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Birch
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Birch
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Maple
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The white Eames lounge chair is the currently featured chair of the hosts (sharks) on the television show Shark Tank. This iconic chair was first designed by Charles and Ray Eames for the Herman Miller furniture company and was released in 1956. Created for a high-end market, these chairs have been a part of the New York’s Museum of Modern Art and are acclaimed worldwide. Find a collection of expertly vetted Eames furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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