Fledermaus Pair
Vintage 1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Armchairs
Straw, Bentwood
20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Settees
Faux Leather, Glass, Bentwood
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Chairs
Fabric, Beech
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Watercolor, Archival Paper
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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pillows and Throws
Cotton, Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Table Lamps
Hide, Wood, Parchment Paper
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Tapestries
Cotton
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Fruitwood
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Mohair
Vintage 1970s French Stools
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Croatian Sculptures
Bronze
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Buffets
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood
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Early 20th Century Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Armchairs
Beech, Fabric
Early 20th Century Austrian International Style Chairs
Walnut
20th Century Austrian Armchairs
Beech
Vintage 1950s Austrian Armchairs
Beech
Vintage 1970s Austrian Vienna Secession Side Chairs
Wood
20th Century Austrian Armchairs
Velvet
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Chairs
Ash
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Chairs
Ash
Antique Early 1900s Hungarian Art Nouveau Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Center Tables
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Armchairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Side Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Stools
Bentwood, Beech
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian International Style Loveseats
20th Century Vienna Secession Tables
Wood, Glass
Vintage 1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramics
Ceramic
Vintage 1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Coat Racks and Stands
Bentwood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Armchairs
Bentwood
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Chairs
Bentwood
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Bauhaus Stools
Leather, Bentwood
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Arts and Crafts Side Chairs
Fabric, Beech
20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Chairs
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Chrome, Metal
Early 20th Century Armchairs
Early 20th Century Austrian Armchairs
Vintage 1950s Austrian Side Chairs
Beech
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Wood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Austrian Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Austrian Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Chairs
Beech, Bentwood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century German Armchairs
Wood, Leather
Early 20th Century Austrian Armchairs
Beech, Bentwood, Leather
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Stools
Bentwood, Upholstery
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
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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.