Empire Gondola
Antique Early 19th Century German Stools
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Cotton, Walnut
Antique 1880s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Wood
20th Century Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Bronze
20th Century French Benches
Velvet, Beech
Late 20th Century British Empire Dining Room Chairs
Damask, Silk, Velvet
Vintage 1970s French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
20th Century French Benches
Upholstery, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Armchairs
Metal, Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Walnut, Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Silk, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage 1950s British Posters
Paper
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Club Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Side Chairs
Maple
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X End Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
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Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Chairs
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Boxwood, Kingwood, Rosewood, Satinwood
Antique 1830s American American Empire Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Cherry
Antique 1830s English William IV Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
2010s Italian Greek Revival Chairs
Leather, Cotton, Nutwood, Walnut
Antique 1820s English Regency Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Chenille, Wood
2010s German Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Birch, Lacquer
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Louis XV Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Recent Sales
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Wool, Walnut
Early 20th Century European Empire Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Italian Empire Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Antique 1890s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century European Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1920s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1910s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique 1880s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Burlap, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Velvet
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Linen, Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Cherry
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Wood
Antique 1820s Swedish Empire Stools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Living Room Sets
Bronze
Vintage 1950s English Regency Revival Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Side Chairs
Mahogany, Velvet
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak, Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Side Chairs
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Chairs
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Antique 1820s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1850s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique 1850s French Center Tables
Mahogany
Antique 1850s French Center Tables
Antique Late 19th Century American American Empire Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1910s French Modern Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Danish Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery, Pine
Vintage 1920s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1880s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Antique 1880s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Burlap, Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Fruitwood
20th Century American Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Silk, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century French Benches
Upholstery, Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century American Side Chairs
Wood, Mahogany
Antique 1830s French Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Antique 1810s Empire Beds and Bed Frames
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Fruitwood, Leather
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Empire Gondola For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Empire Gondola?
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.