Erik Bertil Karlen
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Beech, Sheepskin
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Beech, Leather, Fabric
Vintage 1940s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Birch
Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Sheepskin, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin, Elm
Recent Sales
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Lambskin, Wood
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Birch
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Birch
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Sheepskin, Oak
People Also Browsed
2010s Italian Organic Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Steel
Vintage 1940s Italian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Wood
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Sheet Metal
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Sheepskin
Antique 19th Century Norwegian Romantic Scientific Instruments
Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Plywood
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Metal
Antique 18th Century French Baroque Figurative Sculptures
Stone
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...
Bronze
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Modern Landscape Paintings
Oil
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Armchairs
Linen, Upholstery, Oak
Antique Early 1900s Slovak Jugendstil Pedestals
Beech
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.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
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.
113 Chairs That Prove Danish Design Isn’t Limited to Denmark
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.
April’s Most-Liked Interiors on Instagram
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.