Fan Back Sofa
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique 1820s Austrian Biedermeier Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 1830s American American Classical Sofas
Brass, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Organic Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Mohair, Foam, Wood
Vintage 1980s Side Chairs
Fabric, Rattan
Vintage 1950s Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Rattan
Vintage 1940s Dining Room Chairs
Rattan
Vintage 1950s Dining Room Sets
Rattan, Glass
Vintage 1950s Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Rattan
2010s Brazilian Modern Pillows and Throws
Fabric, Cotton
2010s Brazilian Modern Pillows and Throws
Fabric, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Loveseats
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Late Victorian Living Room Sets
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Organic Modern Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Organic Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Brazilian Modern Pillows and Throws
Fabric, Cotton
2010s Brazilian Modern Pillows and Throws
Fabric, Cotton
2010s Brazilian Modern Pillows and Throws
Fabric, Cotton
Vintage 1940s Beds and Bed Frames
Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Metal
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Textiles
Silk, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Lounge Chairs
Wicker
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Metal
People Also Browsed
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Mohair, Silk, Giltwood, Wood
20th Century American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Burl, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bookcases
Walnut
20th Century Biedermeier Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Maple
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s Louis XV Sofas
Cotton, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Swedish Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Down, Wood
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Spruce
Antique 1770s American Federal Sideboards
Brass
2010s French International Style Daybeds
Fabric
Vintage 1950s British Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Velvet, Oak
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century European Biedermeier Settees
Upholstery, Birch
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Beech
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Benches
Oak
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
Antique 1840s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Textile
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
2010s Thai Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Brass
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Sycamore
20th Century Philippine Hollywood Regency Sofas
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Danish Sofas
Upholstery, Teak
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Sofas
Linen, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century American Sectional Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1980s Gothic Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Early 20th Century British Sofas
Walnut
20th Century Philippine Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Sycamore
Antique 19th Century Swedish Benches
Wood, Linen
Antique 1860s Swedish Biedermeier Settees
Birch
Antique 19th Century English Settees
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Canapes
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Living Room Sets
Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Living Room Sets
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Textiles
Silk
Early 20th Century Swedish Late Victorian Living Room Sets
Fabric
Early 20th Century English Late Victorian Living Room Sets
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Egyptian Revival Settees
Fruitwood, Paint, Giltwood
1990s Oceanic Bohemian Loveseats
Leather
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker
Mid-20th Century Japanese Textiles
Cotton
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Beech
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Foam
Antique Mid-19th Century Finnish Empire Sofas
Fabric, Birch
20th Century European Louis XVI Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Mohair, Foam, Wood
Vintage 1950s Dining Room Chairs
Rattan
Antique Late 19th Century British Settees
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Living Room Sets
Leather
Fan Back Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Fan Back Sofa?
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.
- What is a split back sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A split back sofa is a sofa which features a back that is made up of two separate panels. These panels can be reclined and adjusted separately from one another, allowing for customizable comfort. On 1stDibs, find a range of split back sofas.
- What is a Bow back sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bow back sofa is a sofa which has a back that bows upward, forming a graceful curve that peaks at the center of the bench and tapers down to the arms. Chairs can also have a bow back design. Browse a collection of bow back furniture from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a curved back sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Curved back sofas are also known as conversation sofas or crescent sofas. Curved sofas are highly coveted as comfortable seating as well as for being a unique seating option. Shop a wide selection of curved back sofas on 1stDibs.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.