Empire Barrel Back Chairs
Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 1810s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Slipper Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Chairs
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
People Also Browsed
2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs
Bouclé
20th Century American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Burl, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Books
Paper
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Cherry, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Empire Dining Room Tables
Mahogany, Oak
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Wood, Velvet
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Side Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Stools
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Fabric, Hardwood, Paint
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century European Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Dining Room Chairs
Birch
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century Italian Empire Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut, Wood
20th Century French Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Velvet, Upholstery
20th Century Unknown Armchairs
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 1890s French Empire Revival Chairs
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Asian Empire Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique 1820s French Empire Side Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century Swedish Empire Chairs
Pine
Late 20th Century Empire Club Chairs
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage 1910s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Cherry, Velvet
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Swedish Armchairs
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1940s Italian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Charles X Bergere Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Club Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Lounge Chairs
Cane, Leather, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Wood
Early 2000s European Empire Armchairs
Birch
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Unknown Armchairs
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Armchairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s American Armchairs
Cane
Antique 19th Century European Classical Greek Armchairs
Ormolu
1770s French School Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 1870s French Empire Chairs
Wood, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Antique 1890s French Empire Side Chairs
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Birch
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Brass
Late 20th Century Regency Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Empire Bergere Chairs
Bronze
Vintage 1980s Unknown Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Brass, Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Armchairs
Muslin, Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Burmese Armchairs
Rattan, Teak
Antique 19th Century French Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Austrian Empire Bergere Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Chairs
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1830s French Empire Armchairs
Walnut
20th Century French Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Armchairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Russian Armchairs
Walnut
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, 2022Reupholster a barrel back chair by first removing the old upholstery from the chair. Use the old pieces of material as a guide to help you cut the new upholstery into properly sized pieces. Reupholster the chair by using a furniture stapler to re-secure the new upholstery in the same manner that the old upholstery was attached. Shop a range of vintage and contemporary barrel back chairs on 1stDibs.
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.