Empire Style Seating
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 1850s French Empire Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Empire Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Belgian Empire Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Belgian Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Empire Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Empire Armchairs
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
Vintage 1970s French Empire Armchairs
Gold
20th Century Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Chairs
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique 1820s French Empire Benches
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s North American American Empire Lounge Chairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Cotton, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Belgian Empire Chairs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Chairs
Giltwood, Ebony
Early 20th Century French Empire Benches
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1940s Italian Empire Canapes
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Empire Stools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Revival Benches
Iron, Brass
20th Century Empire Sofas
Wood, Beech
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s English Empire Daybeds
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Stools
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Russian Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Empire Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Empire Stools
Antique 19th Century French Empire Chaise Longues
Bronze
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany, Giltwood
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s American Empire Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Loveseats
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Empire Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Directoire Benches
Beech
Antique 1820s American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1910s Sofas
Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Armchairs
Metal, Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Benches
Iron
Vintage 1920s Empire Loveseats
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Stools
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood
Antique 1820s American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Egyptian Revival Settees
Velvet
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Empire Revival Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
20th Century Portuguese Empire Stools
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Empire Armchairs
Linen, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Empire Revival Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Benches
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Stools
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Canapes
Ormolu
20th Century American Armchairs
Metal
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Empire Style Seating For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Empire Style Seating?
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 Classical world is primarily what influenced French Empire furniture. Greek and Roman motifs appear on many pieces. In addition, the opulence of Egyptian furniture inspired furniture makers active during the period. On 1stDibs, shop a range of French Empire furniture.
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