$17,212 / set
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Modernist Lounge Chairs by Erik Karlén, Sweden, 1940s
By Firma Rumsinteriör
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of rare lounge chairs by Eric Karlén with bold lines. Upholstered with linen and elegant
Leather, Linen, Wood
$7,800 / set
H 31.75 in W 24.5 in D 26 in
Erik Karlén Attribution, Slipper Chairs, Beech, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Eric Karlén
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of green velvet fabric and beech slipper lounge chairs attributed to Erik Karlén for Firma
Fabric, Beech
$7,400
H 32.25 in W 39.5 in D 27.5 in
Erik Bertil Karlén, Rare Easy Chair, Beech, Shearling, Sweden, 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Manhasset, NY
Erik Bertil Karlén, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Easy Chair, Beech, Sheepskin, Sweden, 1940s A
Sheepskin, Beech
$36,236 / set
H 32.29 in W 29.14 in D 30.71 in
Rare Pair of Erik Bertil Karlén Easy Chairs, Sweden, 1950s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent condition. Completely restored.
Sheepskin
$10,266 / item
H 31.11 in W 28.75 in D 33.08 in
Easy Chairs in Beech & Reupholstered in Sheepskin by Erik Bertil Karlén, 1940's
By Eric Karlén
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Karlén, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Beech and newly reupholstered in sheepskin with leather
Beech, Sheepskin
$11,837 / set
H 31.89 in W 28.75 in D 29.14 in
Eric Bertil Karlén Pair of Lounge Chairs in Ivory Linen and Elm, Sweden, 1940s
By Eric Karlén, Firma Rumsinteriör
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare pair of lounge chairs was designed by Eric Bertil Karlén and produced by his company
Cotton, Linen, Wood, Elm
$19,930
H 31.89 in W 61.03 in D 30.71 in
Sofa in Beech and Reupholstered in Kvadrat Fabric by Erik Bertil Karlén, 1940's
By Eric Karlén
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Beech and Newly Reupholstered in Kvadrat Fabric with Leather Buttons by Erik Bertil Karlén
Beech, Leather, Fabric
$11,000 / set
H 33.08 in W 26.38 in D 31.11 in
Pair Easy Chairs in Sheepskin in the manner of Erik Bertil Karlén, Sweden 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Utrecht, NL
pair of easy chairs, crafted in the manner of Erik Bertin Karlen, embodies organic elegance and tactile
Sheepskin, Wood
$7,900 / set
H 32.25 in W 25 in D 22.5 in
Erik Karlén Attribution, Slipper Chairs, Beech, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Firma Rumsinteriör, Eric Karlén
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white bouclé fabric and beech slipper lounge chairs attributed to Erik Karlén for Firma
Fabric, Beech
$5,435
H 32.29 in W 28.75 in D 30.71 in
Erik Bertil Karlén, Swedish sheep skin lounge chair for Firma Rumsinteriör, 1940
By Firma Rumsinteriör, Eric Karlén
Located in Uppsala, SE
Semi rare lounge chair by Eric Bertil Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, 1940s. Superb organic rounded
Sheepskin, Birch
$9,602
H 32.29 in W 29.14 in D 30.71 in
Swedish Modern lounge chair by Erik Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, 1940s
By Firma Rumsinteriör, Eric Karlén
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Very rare lounge chair designed by Erik Bertil Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, 1940s
Leather, Sheepskin, Elm
Unavailable
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 31.5 in
Scandinavian Modern, Eric karlén ‘NR 86’ Sheepskin Armchair
By Eric Karlén
Located in Madrid, ES
Armchair in beech wood, model ‘NR 86’ designed by Erik Karlén for Raumsinteriör. Sweden, 1960s This
Sheepskin
Unavailable
H 33.08 in W 59.06 in D 27.56 in
Rare Erik Bertil Karlén Curved Little White Sofa, Sweden, 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in ROSHEIM, FR
This rare curved little sofa was designed by Eric Bertil Karlén and produced by his company Firma
Lambskin, Wood
Velvet Sofa by Eric Karlén
By Firma Rumsinteriör, Eric Karlén
Located in Stockholm, SE
Striking, rarely seen sofa by Eric Karlén, made in the 1940s. Birch legs, body reupholstered with
Velvet, Birch
Erik Karlén Attribution, Slipper Chairs, Wood, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Eric Karlén
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white bouclé fabric and beech slipper lounge chairs attributed to Erik Karlén for Firma
Fabric, Wood
Erik Karlén Attribution, Slipper Chair, Birch, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Eric Karlén
Located in High Point, NC
A white bouclé fabric and birch slipper lounge chair attributed to Erik Karlén for Firma
Fabric, Birch
Sold
H 33.08 in W 27.96 in D 32.29 in
Swedish Modern Curved Easy Chair, Attributed to Erik Karlén, 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Uppsala, SE
Midcentury Swedish modern curved easy chair, attributed to Swedish designer Erik Bertil Karlén
Fabric, Birch
Sold
H 33.08 in W 27.96 in D 32.29 in
Swedish sheepskin lounge chair, attributed to Erik Bertil Karlén, 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Uppsala, SE
Mid-century Swedish modern curved easy chair, attributed to Erik Bertil Karlén from the 1940s. New
Sheepskin, Birch
Sold
H 31.89 in W 24.02 in D 26.38 in
Easy Chairs Attributed to Erik Bertil Karlén Produced by Firma Rumsinteriör
By Eric Karlén
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of easy chairs attributed to Erik Bertil Karlén. Produced by Firma Rumsinteriör in Sweden.
Fabric, Beech
Eric Bertil Karlén Pair of Lounge Chairs, Sweden, 1940s
By Firma Rumsinteriör, Eric Karlén
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare pair of lounge chairs was designed by Eric Bertil Karlén and produced by his company
Fabric, Wool, Linen, Upholstery, Wood, Elm
Sold
H 32.29 in W 61.42 in D 29.93 in
Eric Bertil Karlén Sofa in Green Dedar Bouclé and Beech, Sweden, 1940s.
By Firma Rumsinteriör, Eric Karlén
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare sofa was designed by Eric Bertil Karlén and produced by his company Firma Rumsinteriör in
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Beech
Easy Chair Designed by Erik Bertil Karlén, Sweden, 1950s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced by Firma Rums Interiör, Sweden, 1950s. Oak and newly reupholstered in sheepskin with cognac leather buttons.
Sheepskin, Oak
$14,500 / set
H 30 in W 31.5 in D 33 in
Pair of 1940's Style Classic Club or Lounge Chairs in Amber Color Shearling
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful exuberant pair of new Danish modern lounge chairs of our own design. The design is inspired by the classic designs from the 1940s but with our own design variations and up-...
Sheepskin, Beech
Chic 'Bloc' Parchment Table Lamp by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic 'Bloc' parchment table lamp by Design Frères. Attractive European style shade mount with no apparent harp / final. The dimensions are the overall dimensions of the lamp an...
Wood, Parchment Paper, Hide
$17,151 / item
H 53.15 in W 125.99 in D 59.06 in
Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires, this other version of the spider chandelier has longer arms on the sides giving the oval shape. The metal arms paint...
Metal, Brass
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Wood, Oak
Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Murano glass wall sconces, in stock Fume color and horizontal striation texture Black opaline finials and brass accents Art Deco inspired design. Gives off warm beams of lig...
Brass
Hans-Agne Jakobsson '1003 Hans Pendant' in Pine for Vaarnii
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Vaarnii
Located in Glendale, CA
Hans-Agne Jakobsson '1003 Hans Pendant' in pine for Vaarnii. First created by legendary designer Hans-Agne Jakobsson, the '1003 Hans Pendant' is a uniquely architectural lamp with a...
Pine
Gnosjö, Candlesticks, Brass, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass candlesticks designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1960s. Holds .5” diameter candles.
Brass
$6,401 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
$1,800 / item
H 26 in W 18 in D 18 in
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak This Modern Cicely Counter Stool with Sheepskin Seat is beautifully constructed from solid white oak in Ohio, ...
Sheepskin, Wood, Oak
Milo Baughman Chesterfield Style Tufted Sofa
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Milo Baughman Chesterfield style tufted sofa with wood plinth base. In good vintage condition, circa 1980s Dimension: 84" long 32" deep 26" tall seat height 14".
Fabric
$2,415 / set
H 23.23 in Dm 12.6 in
Pair of Swedish Table Lamps of Brass with Leather Detail and White Shade
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of brass table lights with brown leather detail. Made in Sweden by Örsjö Industri. White fabric lampshades that are slightly different.
Brass
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood Denmark - 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood, Denmark - 1960s.
Wood
Swedish Designer, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass and rattan wall light designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.65” H x 9.1” W x 35.5” D Back Plate Dimensions (inches): 6.5” H, 1....
Brass
$13,890 / item
H 49.22 in Dm 70.87 in
Brass and Parchment Paper Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Impressive chandelier made of white enameled brass arms holding six beautiful parchment paper shades, which can be adjusted thanks to the handle of each socket. Signed by the arti...
Brass
$2,500
H 33.08 in W 24.81 in D 23.63 in
Henning Kjærnulf, Armchair in Oak & Velvet, Model "Kurul", Mid Century, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf, EG Kvaliteet
Located in Odense, DK
A fine and elegant armchair in solid oak upholstered in a decadent red velvet. Designed by Henning (Henry) Kjaernulf for EG Kvalitetsmøbel, Denmark 1960s. Model "Kurul". The overall...
Oak, Velvet
2 parts sofa in stainless steel by Studio Glustin
By Glustin Creation
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
2 parts sofa in stainless steel with seating upholstered with a fabric by Dédar. Creation by Studio Glustin. France, 2023.
Stainless Steel
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.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.