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European High Back Chairs

European High Back Fireside Chair from the 1940s
European High Back Fireside Chair from the 1940s

European High Back Fireside Chair from the 1940s

$1,441

H 37.41 in W 21.26 in D 25.2 in

European High Back Fireside Chair from the 1940s

Located in London, GB

A charming high back fireside chair, crafted in Europe circa 1940s. This piece features a

Category

Vintage 1940s European Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Oak

High Back Chiavari Chair in Brass and Embroidery, 1960s
High Back Chiavari Chair in Brass and Embroidery, 1960s

High Back Chiavari Chair in Brass and Embroidery, 1960s

$1,950

H 47.25 in W 16.54 in D 17.72 in

High Back Chiavari Chair in Brass and Embroidery, 1960s

By Pier Luigi Colli

Located in Meer, VAN

High Back Chiavari Chair in Brass and Embroidery, Europe, 1960s. Looking for something

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Corner Chairs

Materials

Brass

High Back Wing Chair Upholstered in Custom Velvet Color
High Back Wing Chair Upholstered in Custom Velvet Color

High Back Wing Chair Upholstered in Custom Velvet Color

$4,350 / item

H 41.34 in W 28.75 in D 33.86 in

High Back Wing Chair Upholstered in Custom Velvet Color

Located in NEW YORK, NY

This Lounge chair measured proportions perfectly balance thickness and straight lines. The four-leg

Category

2010s European Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Six Mid-Century Italian Style Mahogany Chairs High Back Lined Borsani Style
Six Mid-Century Italian Style Mahogany Chairs High Back Lined Borsani Style

Six Mid-Century Italian Style Mahogany Chairs High Back Lined Borsani Style

$4,018Sale Price / set|30% Off

H 38.59 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in

Six Mid-Century Italian Style Mahogany Chairs High Back Lined Borsani Style

By Arredamenti Borsani

Located in Palermo, Sicily

Six mid-century Italian style mahogany chairs high back lined Borsani style.

Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Vivai del Sud Chairs High Back in White Bamboo Italian Design, 1970
Vivai del Sud Chairs High Back in White Bamboo Italian Design, 1970

Vivai del Sud Chairs High Back in White Bamboo Italian Design, 1970

$2,679Sale Price / set|30% Off

H 49.22 in W 17.72 in D 25.6 in

Vivai del Sud Chairs High Back in White Bamboo Italian Design, 1970

By Vivai del Sud

Located in Palermo, Sicily

Vivai del Sud chairs high back in white bamboo Italian design, 1970.

Category

Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bamboo

Metal Chairs with High Back by Bele Bachem for Münchner Boulevard Möbel, 1950s
Metal Chairs with High Back by Bele Bachem for Münchner Boulevard Möbel, 1950s

Metal Chairs with High Back by Bele Bachem for Münchner Boulevard Möbel, 1950s

Located in Nürnberg, Bayern

Very rare, high quality metal chairs from the 1960s. Great high back and a relaxed seat height.

Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Eight Vintage Italian High Back Dining Chairs
Set of Eight Vintage Italian High Back Dining Chairs

Set of Eight Vintage Italian High Back Dining Chairs

$2,560Sale Price|20% Off

H 37 in W 17.5 in D 16 in

Set of Eight Vintage Italian High Back Dining Chairs

Located in Pasadena, TX

A set of eight vintage Italian high back dining chairs. These chairs feature leather upholstery for

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-Century High Back Lounge Gentleman Chair in Teddy Upholstery The Netherlands
Mid-Century High Back Lounge Gentleman Chair in Teddy Upholstery The Netherlands

Mid-Century High Back Lounge Gentleman Chair in Teddy Upholstery The Netherlands

Located in Almelo, NL

Mid-Century Modern High Back Lounge Gentleman Chair in Teddy Upholstery, The Netherlands, 1960s

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Leather Armchair with High Back & Swivel Base
Contemporary Leather Armchair with High Back & Swivel Base

Contemporary Leather Armchair with High Back & Swivel Base

$5,660 / item

H 37.8 in W 34.65 in D 35.44 in

Contemporary Leather Armchair with High Back & Swivel Base

Located in NEW YORK, NY

when presented in a cross-stitched seam. ?A powerful and embracing structure where a high back smoothly

Category

2010s European Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Joly Chairdrobe, High Back, Black Structure, Water Blue Top Italian Velvet
Joly Chairdrobe, High Back, Black Structure, Water Blue Top Italian Velvet

Joly Chairdrobe, High Back, Black Structure, Water Blue Top Italian Velvet

Located in Milan, Lombardy

improvised object, like the chair next to the bed which turns into a wardrobe! Like the jolly in card games

Category

2010s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Iconic Mid-centuryp pair High Back Chairs by SAC, Giò Ponti style, All originals
Iconic Mid-centuryp pair High Back Chairs by SAC, Giò Ponti style, All originals

Iconic Mid-centuryp pair High Back Chairs by SAC, Giò Ponti style, All originals

By Gio Ponti

Located in Vigonza, Padua

All Originals "Chiavarine" iconic pair high back chairs by S.A.C, Giò Ponti style, with woven

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Loveseats

Materials

Mahogany

Recent Sales

Postmodern High-Back Blue Chair, 1980s
Postmodern High-Back Blue Chair, 1980s

Postmodern High-Back Blue Chair, 1980s

Unavailable

H 52.37 in W 18.12 in D 16.54 in

Postmodern High-Back Blue Chair, 1980s

Located in București, B

This postmodern high-back chair was designed in the 1980's. It's made of blue lacquered wood

Category

Vintage 1980s European Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chippendale Mahogany High Back Chairs
Pair of Chippendale Mahogany High Back Chairs

Pair of Chippendale Mahogany High Back Chairs

Unavailable

H 48 in W 22.5 in D 17 in

Pair of Chippendale Mahogany High Back Chairs

Located in Salt Lake City, UT

Pair of Chippendale Mahogany High Back Chairs with red velvet upholstery Dimensions: 48" h x

Category

Antique Late 18th Century European Chippendale Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Ingmar Relling "Siesta" lounge chair - Flora edition, high back
Ingmar Relling "Siesta" lounge chair - Flora edition, high back

Ingmar Relling "Siesta" lounge chair - Flora edition, high back

Unavailable

H 38.98 in W 24.41 in D 31.5 in

Ingmar Relling "Siesta" lounge chair - Flora edition, high back

By Ingmar Relling

Located in Copenhagen, DK

coveted "high back". version and is as new. NielsenClassics delivers the absolute highest quality of

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Early 18th Century French Deconstructed High Wing Back Fruitwood Armchair
Early 18th Century French Deconstructed High Wing Back Fruitwood Armchair

Early 18th Century French Deconstructed High Wing Back Fruitwood Armchair

Located in Poling, West Sussex

Early 19th French wingback chair constructed in mixed fruit woods giving a distressed finish the

Category

Antique Early 18th Century European Baroque Revival Wingback Chairs

Materials

Wood

High Back Antique Wooden Carved Upholstered Arm Chair
High Back Antique Wooden Carved Upholstered Arm Chair

High Back Antique Wooden Carved Upholstered Arm Chair

Unavailable

H 57 in W 30.5 in D 27.5 in

High Back Antique Wooden Carved Upholstered Arm Chair

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

A stunningly beautiful high back armchair hand carved from walnut provides an unmatched level of

Category

Antique 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Cintique Lounge Chair High Backed
Cintique Lounge Chair High Backed

Cintique Lounge Chair High Backed

Sold

H 90 in W 65 in D 85 in

Cintique Lounge Chair High Backed

Located in Otley, GB

& manufactured in the UK. The high backed Cintique lounge chair is a stylish design with its teak angular arms

Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Teak

4 "High Back" Oak Chairs
4 "High Back" Oak Chairs

4 "High Back" Oak Chairs

Sold

H 41.74 in W 18.51 in D 21.66 in

4 "High Back" Oak Chairs

Located in BE

4 "high back" oak chairs What a beautiful set of dining chairs. These chairs are from the 1960s

Category

Vintage 1970s European Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Oak

Pair of High Ladder Back Chairs
Pair of High Ladder Back Chairs

Pair of High Ladder Back Chairs

Sold

H 58 in W 21 in D 23 in

Pair of High Ladder Back Chairs

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of tall ladder back European side chairs. Finials are painted black as the rest of the chairs

Category

Vintage 1960s European Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

High back 'Fratina' Chairs by Mario Ceroli, 1970s
High back 'Fratina' Chairs by Mario Ceroli, 1970s

High back 'Fratina' Chairs by Mario Ceroli, 1970s

Sold

H 75.6 in W 23.63 in D 20.08 in

High back 'Fratina' Chairs by Mario Ceroli, 1970s

By Mario Ceroli

Located in Antwerp, BE

"Fratina" chairs designed by Mario Ceroli from the Mobili Nella Valle for Poltronova. Made of pine

Category

Late 20th Century European Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Pine

19th Century European Yew Wood High Back Windsor Armchair
19th Century European Yew Wood High Back Windsor Armchair

19th Century European Yew Wood High Back Windsor Armchair

Located in San Francisco, CA

19th century European yew wood high back windsor armchair Fine hand carved custom made high back

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Windsor Chairs

Materials

Yew

Vintage Teak High Back Lounge Chair, 1960s
Vintage Teak High Back Lounge Chair, 1960s

Vintage Teak High Back Lounge Chair, 1960s

Sold

H 41.74 in W 25.6 in D 28.75 in

Vintage Teak High Back Lounge Chair, 1960s

Located in Steenwijk, NL

This high back lounge chair or armchair has been reupholstered in a 'Danish art Weaving' fabric

Category

Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Postmodern Design Handcrafted Iron High Back Chair Set, 1980's
Postmodern Design Handcrafted Iron High Back Chair Set, 1980's

Postmodern Design Handcrafted Iron High Back Chair Set, 1980's

Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN

Vintage Postmodern Design One of a Kind Handcrafted Iron High Back Chair set of 4, made in the 1980

Category

Vintage 1980s European Post-Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chair High Back Carved Fruit Wood
Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chair High Back Carved Fruit Wood

Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chair High Back Carved Fruit Wood

Located in New York, NY

A Scandinavian modern high back carved fruit wood lounge chair, newly restored and upholstered in

Category

Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pumpkin High Back Armchair - Pierre Paulin - 2011
Pumpkin High Back Armchair - Pierre Paulin - 2011

Pumpkin High Back Armchair - Pierre Paulin - 2011

Sold

H 32.68 in W 41.34 in D 32.68 in

Pumpkin High Back Armchair - Pierre Paulin - 2011

By Pierre Paulin

Located in Saint ouen, FR

Pumpkin High Back Armchair - Pierre Paulin Edition Ligne Roset Measure: H83xW105xD83cm Red

Category

2010s European Other Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of  Wooden High Backed Dining Chairs for Upholstery
Pair of  Wooden High Backed Dining Chairs for Upholstery

Pair of Wooden High Backed Dining Chairs for Upholstery

Located in Marbella, ES

Pair of Wooden High Backed Dining Chairs for Upholstery

Category

2010s European Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Sculptural Wooden High Back Chair Anthroposophy France or Switzerland, 1950
Sculptural Wooden High Back Chair Anthroposophy France or Switzerland, 1950

Sculptural Wooden High Back Chair Anthroposophy France or Switzerland, 1950

Located in Renens, CH

Sculptural wooden chair anthroposophy France or Switzerland, 1950. Sculptural chair with high

Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

A set primitive high back chairs designed and manufactured during the 1950s
A set primitive high back chairs designed and manufactured during the 1950s

A set primitive high back chairs designed and manufactured during the 1950s

Located in Antwerp, BE

A set of two primitive high back chairs designed and manufactured during the 1950s. The craftsman

Category

Vintage 1950s European Arts and Crafts Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of four Modernist dining chairs with high backs from the 1950s.
Set of four Modernist dining chairs with high backs from the 1950s.

Set of four Modernist dining chairs with high backs from the 1950s.

By Gerrit Rietveld, Dom Hans van der Laan

Located in Antwerp, BE

Set of four Modernist dining chairs with high backs from the 1950s. These atypical chairs are made

Category

Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

19th Century European Child's or Miniature  Cane Chair
19th Century European Child's or Miniature  Cane Chair

19th Century European Child's or Miniature Cane Chair

Located in Southampton, NY

19th Century European Child's or Miniature High Back Cane Chair

Category

Antique 19th Century Side Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Eames EA219 Vitra High Back Soft Pad Office Armchair Black Leather
Eames EA219 Vitra High Back Soft Pad Office Armchair Black Leather

Eames EA219 Vitra High Back Soft Pad Office Armchair Black Leather

By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

stamped RRP £3620 high back soft pad office chair with chrome swivel base Pretty much one of the most

Category

20th Century European Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair of High Back Slipper Chairs, Italy, 1960's
Pair of High Back Slipper Chairs, Italy, 1960's

Pair of High Back Slipper Chairs, Italy, 1960's

Located in New York, NY

Pair of Italian mid-century high back slipper chairs with brass feet. Light gray velvet fabric

Category

Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric

Pair of Fruitwood Armchairs
Pair of Fruitwood Armchairs

Pair of Fruitwood Armchairs

Located in Manhasset, NY

Pair of North European fruitwood high-back chairs, 19th century and later, possibly Scandinavian

Category

Antique 19th Century Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Antique European Walnut High Back Windsor Armchairs, circa 1940s - a Pair
Antique European Walnut High Back Windsor Armchairs, circa 1940s - a Pair

Antique European Walnut High Back Windsor Armchairs, circa 1940s - a Pair

Located in Germantown, MD

Antique European walnut high back Windsor armchairs. European Windsor chairs Solid, sturdy and

Category

Early 20th Century Macedonian Victorian Windsor Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Wonderful Set of Six Sculptural High Back Dining Chairs
Wonderful Set of Six Sculptural High Back Dining Chairs

Wonderful Set of Six Sculptural High Back Dining Chairs

By Paolo Buffa

Located in Houston, TX

Wonderful set of 6 high backed dining chairs. Medium walnut colored frames have elegant lines and

Category

Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Arts & Crafts High Back Armchair in the Glasgow Style
Arts & Crafts High Back Armchair in the Glasgow Style

Arts & Crafts High Back Armchair in the Glasgow Style

Sold

H 48.43 in W 13.78 in D 15.75 in

Arts & Crafts High Back Armchair in the Glasgow Style

Located in grand Lancy, CH

Arts & Crafts high back armchair in the Glasgow style.

Category

Antique Early 1900s European Chairs

Materials

Wood

1930s Transitional Danish Modern High Backed Lounge by Fritz Hansen
1930s Transitional Danish Modern High Backed Lounge by Fritz Hansen

1930s Transitional Danish Modern High Backed Lounge by Fritz Hansen

By Fritz Hansen

Located in Minneapolis, MN

This 1930s high backed lounge chair by Fritz Hansen has been restored in a cooling striped Rivera

Category

Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Beech

High backed European lounge chair in Holly Hunt leather
High backed European lounge chair in Holly Hunt leather

High backed European lounge chair in Holly Hunt leather

Located in New York, NY

Extremely comfortable, high backed European lounge chair on tubular brass legs-1950's

Category

20th Century French Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

Tall high-back armed hall chair
Tall high-back armed hall chair

Tall high-back armed hall chair

Sold

H 57 in W 27 in D 26 in

Tall high-back armed hall chair

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Well proportioned, graceful master arm chair with deeply carved legs, stretchers, arms

Category

Antique 19th Century European Chairs

Materials

Oak

Set of Six High Back Chairs
Set of Six High Back Chairs

Set of Six High Back Chairs

Sold

H 47 in W 17 in D 16 in

Set of Six High Back Chairs

Located in Culver City, CA

Thought to be Italian this set of six chairs have backs that are nearly 4ft in height. A good look

Category

20th Century European Chairs

Materials

Oak

Pair of Early High Backed Slipper Chairs
Pair of Early High Backed Slipper Chairs

Pair of Early High Backed Slipper Chairs

Sold

H 38 in W 21 in D 26.5 in

Pair of Early High Backed Slipper Chairs

Located in Bridgehampton, NY

Pair of unusual high backed slipper chairs newly upholstered in black and white ticking.

Category

Antique 19th Century European Chairs

High back office chair
High back office chair

High back office chair

Sold

H 41.74 in W 27.56 in D 19.69 in

High back office chair

Located in Brussels , BE

High quality and very comfortable office chair.

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Sculptural Rattan High Back Chair, in Style of Franco Albini, 1960s
Sculptural Rattan High Back Chair, in Style of Franco Albini, 1960s

Sculptural Rattan High Back Chair, in Style of Franco Albini, 1960s

By Franco Albini

Located in Schagen, NL

, features a metal frame and a sculptural, organic formed, seat with a high back. The chair remains in very

Category

Mid-20th Century European Bohemian Armchairs

Materials

Rattan

Antique High Back Twisted Leg Ornate Side Chair
Antique High Back Twisted Leg Ornate Side Chair

Antique High Back Twisted Leg Ornate Side Chair

Sold

H 43.5 in W 17.75 in D 20.5 in

Antique High Back Twisted Leg Ornate Side Chair

Located in Pataskala, OH

Beautifully wrought, and obviously rarely sat in over the years, this ornate side chair would make

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Cane, Wood

Pair of Mid-Century Modern High Back Wenge Chairs
Pair of Mid-Century Modern High Back Wenge Chairs

Pair of Mid-Century Modern High Back Wenge Chairs

Sold

H 34.65 in W 18.9 in D 20.28 in

Pair of Mid-Century Modern High Back Wenge Chairs

Located in Porto, PT

A pair of Mid-Century Modern high back wenge chairs reupholstered in a beige fabric.

Category

Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wenge

People Also Browsed

Wood Frame High Back Lounge Chair in Walnut and Leather Designed by Craig Bassam
Wood Frame High Back Lounge Chair in Walnut and Leather Designed by Craig Bassam

Wood Frame High Back Lounge Chair in Walnut and Leather Designed by Craig Bassam

By BassamFellows

Located in Ridgefield, CT

“Living in a glass house makes you design pieces to look immaculate from every angle,” says Craig Bassam, who designed the BassamFellows Wood Frame Lounge Collection for his own home...

Category

2010s American Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Wood

Wing Armchair with Ottoman Upholstered in Custom Velvet Color
Wing Armchair with Ottoman Upholstered in Custom Velvet Color

Wing Armchair with Ottoman Upholstered in Custom Velvet Color

$5,400 / item

H 33.47 in W 28.75 in D 30.32 in

Wing Armchair with Ottoman Upholstered in Custom Velvet Color

Located in NEW YORK, NY

This Lounge chair measured proportions perfectly balance thickness and straight lines. The four-leg structure is presented in wood while the seat, back, and armrest are fully upholst...

Category

2010s European Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood, Velvet

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European High Back Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of European high back chairs available for sale. Frequently made of wood, walnut and metal, all European high back chairs available were constructed with great care. We have 24 antique and vintage European high back chairs in-stock, while there are 15 modern editions to choose from as well. European high back chairs have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. European high back chairs made by Modern designers — as well as those associated with Mid-Century Modern — are very popular at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made European high back chairs over the years, but those made by Charles and Ray Eames, Fritz Hansen and Mario Ceroli are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are European High Back Chairs?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $1,250, while they’re typically $723 on the low end and $11,000 highest priced.

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.

Questions About European High Back Chairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A high back office chair has a tall backrest to provide support to both your back and neck. It helps minimize the risk of chronic neck and back problems. These chairs also come with wheels attached for ease of mobility. Shop a range of antique and vintage high back office chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
    High-backed old-fashioned chairs are often called wingback chairs. They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, vintage and modern wingback chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.