English Gainsborough Chair
Antique Late 19th Century English George II Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Club Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Antique 18th Century British Chippendale Armchairs
Leather
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Armchairs
Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century English George III Lounge Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Georgian Armchairs
Mahogany, Leather
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Mahogany, Leather
Early 20th Century British Georgian Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1920s English Georgian Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s American Lounge Chairs
Wood, Cotton
Antique 19th Century English Lounge Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chippendale Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Club Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Dining Room Chairs
Leather
Antique 19th Century British Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 1780s English Georgian Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Armchairs
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Wood, Leather
Antique Early 1900s British Armchairs
Antique 18th Century English George III Armchairs
Mahogany
20th Century English Georgian Armchairs
Brass
Antique 18th Century English George III Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Armchairs
Antique 18th Century English Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Armchairs
Early 20th Century English Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Leather
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Mahogany, Leather, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Mahogany, Muslin
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Mahogany, Muslin
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Chippendale Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Mahogany
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English Gainsborough Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an English Gainsborough Chair?
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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