Empire Fauteuil De Bureau
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Wood
Antique 1810s French Empire Armchairs
Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
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Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
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20th Century French Benches
Velvet, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Musical Instruments
Wood, Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Ormolu
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Spruce
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
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Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Chairs
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Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Side Chairs
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21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XVI Armchairs
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Antique 19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
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Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Living Room Sets
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Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
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Vintage 1910s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Wood Panel, Oil
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
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Antique 19th Century French First Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1810s Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Desks
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Velvet, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Armchairs
Cherry
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut, Leather
Early 20th Century French Bergere Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany, Leather
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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