Werner West, Hugging Chair, Wilhelm Schauman Ltd, 1940s
By Werner West
Located in Uppsala, Uppsala
A so called Hugging chair designed by Finish designer Werner West in the 1940s and manufactured by Wilhelm Schauman in the town Jyväskyle in the middle of Finland.
Birch
Werner West, Side Chair, Bentwood, Finland, 1930s
By Werner West
Located in High Point, NC
A stained bentwood side chair designed by Werner West and produced by Wilhelm Schauman Fanerfabrik AB, Jyväskylä, Finland, 1930s.
Bentwood
Werner West, W1 bentwood side chair, 1930s Finland
By Werner West
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Discover the timeless elegance of the Werner West W1 bentwood chair, a 1930s Finnish classic that perfectly embodies Scandinavian modern vintage design.
Bentwood
Werner West, Dining Room Chairs, Pine, Finland, 1950s
By Werner West
Located in High Point, NC
A set of six "Leo" dining room chairs designed by Werner West and produced by Keravan Puusepäntehdas, Finland, c. 1950s.
Pine
Werner West Pyramid Chair 5525, Collector Item, Keravan Puusepäntehdas 1940s
By Werner West
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare version of the already rare Pyramid chair model 5525 design by Werner West and manufactured by Keravan Puusepäntehdas for Stockmann.
Birch
Werner West Arm Chair in Dark Stained Birch & White Wool, Wilh. Schauman 1930s
By Werner West
Located in Helsinki, FI
A modernist Werner West arm chair featuring a dark stained birch frame with bent veneer back and bent wooden armrests.
Iron
A Werner West Swivel Working Chair in Birch & Faux Leather, Wilh. Schauman 1930s
By Werner West
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare Werner West working chair featuring a swivel mechanism, manufactured by Wilh.
Iron
Pair of Armchairs in Suede and Woven Cord by Werner West, Finland, 1930s
By Werner West
Located in Karis, Nyland
The seats are upholstered in suede, showing a soft surface with visible patina, while the backrests are handwoven in thick cord, forming a geometric pattern that adds both structure ...
Suede, Papercord, Elm
Werner West, Side Chair, Bentwood, Finland, 1930s
By Werner West
Located in High Point, NC
A stained bentwood side chair designed by Werner West and produced by Wilhelm Schauman Fanerfabrik AB, Jyväskylä, Finland, 1930s.
Bentwood
Sofa ‘Royal’ Designed by Werner West for Oy Stockmann AB, Finland, 1950s
By Werner West, Oy Stockmann AB
Located in Stockholm, SE
The cut-out fronts and fine Boucle upholstery give the sizeable piece its modern aesthetic, while the tall back legs offer strong support by kicking out for extra balance. Werner We...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Unavailable
H 28.35 in W 18.9 in D 17.72 in
Finnish Classic 1930s Chair "hugging chair" Designed by Werner West
By Werner West
Located in Turku, FI
Finnish early 20th century "hugging chair" design by Werner West for Stockmann Oy. This beautiful cafe´ chair was designed to be comfortable with upholstered seat in artificial leath...
Upholstery, Wood
Werner West, Hugging Chair, Wilhelm Schauman Ltd, 1940s
By Werner West
Located in Uppsala, Uppsala
A so called hugging chair designed by Finish designer Werner West in the 1940s and manufactured by Wilhelm Schauman in the town Jyväskyle in the middle of Finland.
Faux Leather, Birch
Werner West, Hugging Chair, Wilhelm Schauman Ltd, 1940s
By Werner West
Located in Uppsala, Uppsala
A so called hugging chair designed by Finish designer Werner West in the 1930s and manufactured by Wilhelm Schauman in the town Jyväskyle in the middle of Finland.
Leather, Birch
Rare Werner West Rocking Chair in Sheepskin, 1930/1940s
By Werner West
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Rare Werner West rocking chair, 1930/1940s. Birch frame with sheepskin upholstery.
Sheepskin, Birch
Werner West "Tuoleja Chair" by Schauman Jyvaskyla Finland
By Werner West
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Werner West “Hugging Chair” or known as The Tuoleja chair manufactured by Schauman Jyvaskyla Finland.
Birch
Set of Werner West Finnish Midcentury 'Hugging' Chairs, 1930s
By Werner West
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Set of two beautifully patinated W1 'Hugging' chairs by Werner West for O.Y WIlhelm Schaumann.
Birch
Sold
H 31.89 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Chairs by Werner West for Wilhelm Schauman Ltd, circa 1940s, Set of 6
By Werner West
Located in Uppsala, Uppsala
Set of 6 chairs designed by Finish designer Werner West in the 1930s and manufactured by Wilhelm Schauman in the town Jyväskyle in the middle of Finland.
Leather, Birch
Sold
H 28.35 in W 20.08 in D 17.72 in
Set of 6 Electric Blue & Grey 1930s W1 Chairs by Werner West & Wilhelm Schauman
By Werner West
Located in London, GB
A set of six model W1 dining chairs designed by Werner West circa 1930 and made by Wilhelm Schauman Fanerfabrik AB in Jyväskylä, Finland, before 1940.
Birch
Five Chairs by Werner West for Keravan Puusepät from the 1950s
By Werner West, Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Six chairs by Werner West for Keravan Puusepät from the 1950s.
Fabric, Birch
Werner West Wingback Chair, Wilhelm Schauman, 1930s
By Werner West
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Wingback chair, designed by Werner West, manufactured by Wilhelm Schauman, 1930s.
Fabric, Birch
$578Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.38 in W 14.97 in D 16.54 in
Mid-Century Modern Child Chair by Tatra, Oak & Plywood, Czech
By Tatra Pravenec
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage chair produced by Tatra company (the label partially visible). The chair is produced as a lower chair, or sometimes called child chair. However, can be used as an o...
Oak, Plywood
Set of 8 mid century Swedish pine dining chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Practical set of Swedish 1970's dining chairs. Shaped backs with 4 back slats with a carrying handle cut out. Plain seat, standing on tapered legs. Simple elegant design and comfor...
Pine
$950Sale Price|47% Off
H 29.75 in W 19.5 in D 18 in
Vintage Hans Wegner for C.M. Madsens 'W2' Chair in Oak; Denmark, 1950s
By C.M. Madsen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lovely example of the early work of the 20th century's master of seating design, Hans J. Wegner. The sculpted oak backrest or top-rail employed here was developed as part of a fami...
Oak
$459Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.71 in W 18.9 in D 16.15 in
Niels Møller - Chair model 71 - teak - leather seat - 50s - Denmark
By Neils O. Möller
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Niels Møller Chair Model 71 in Teak with Leather Seat from the 50s Beautiful vintage Danish Scandinavian chair by Niels Otto Moller model 71, in teak. Beautiful curve of the backres...
Wood, Leather
Set of Six Dining Chairs in Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, solid pine, Europe, 1980s Constructed entirely from solid pine, the chair’s form leans into the expressive potential of the wood: visible knots, linear gra...
Pine
Melchiorre Bega, Dining Chairs, Wood, Fabric, Italy, 1950s
By Melchiorre Bega
Located in High Point, NC
A set of 8 wood and purple fabric dining room chairs or side chairs produced by Melchiorre Bega, Italy, c. 1950s.. Very minor imperfections on fabric Overall Dimensions (inches): 3...
Fabric, Wood
French Thonet Style Beechwood Armchair, mid 20th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
constructed entirely of beechwood and having a concave or barrel shaped backrest with high bentwood arms and a solid wooden seat, raised on tapering shaped legs
Beech
$340Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 18.25 in D 18 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern KS Mobler Teak Side Chair, Made In Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen, K.S. Mobler
Located in San Carlos, CA
For Sale: Danish Modern Teak Side Chair by KS Mobler – Kai Kristiansen Style Elevate your space with this classic Danish Modern side chair by KS Mobler, designed in the style of ren...
Teak
$385Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.08 in W 15.75 in D 16.54 in
Thonet Bentwood Bistro Chair, Czechoslovakia 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage chair designed by Thonet. Bentwood details and construction makes this piece a timeless item. Plywood seat and backrest. Strong oak wood. The chair was partially re...
Oak, Bentwood, Plywood
$5,830
H 33.86 in W 24.61 in D 26.38 in
Model "1755" Chair by Ole Wanscher for Fritz Hansen, Denmark ca 1940s
By Fritz Hansen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Utrecht, NL
Ole Wanscher was one of the leading figures of 20th century Danish design. Trained as an architect and later a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Wanscher’s work is ...
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Thonet-Mundus Bentwood Armchair, Circa 1920
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Elegant Thonet-Mundus bentwood armchair, dating to circa 1920, in the distinctive Vienna/Central European bentwood tradition. The chair features a beautifully proportioned sculptura...
Bentwood
$863Sale Price|20% Off
H 36.62 in W 19.3 in D 20.48 in
Early 20th Century Accent Chair, Bentwood, Scandinavian Style, Finland
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Discover a timeless gem for your living space with our Early 20th century accent chair. Lovingly crafted from exotic wood, this stand-out piece embodies unparalleled elegance and his...
Bentwood
$1,290
H 31.5 in W 25 in D 22 in
1940's Fritz Hansen "Canada" easy chair designed by Christian E Hansen
By Christian E. Hansen
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful and iconic Danish "Canada" arm chair designed by Christian E Hansen in 1940 for Fritz Hansen (his father), model 2252, this particular chair made in Denmark in 1941, hand c...
Beech
$1,722
H 32.09 in W 20.48 in D 17.52 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Chair with Leather Seat, 1960s Design
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Timeless, classic and functional Danish midcentury modern dining room chair with simple lines and leather seat and leather back. Minimalist and robust silhouette with comfortably sof...
Leather, Wood
$5,245
H 31.5 in W 18.9 in D 18.31 in
Axel Einar Hjorth "Utö" Chair for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Utrecht, NL
Swedish architect and furniture designer Axel Einar Hjorth served as the lead designer for Sweden’s Nordiska Kompaniet department store from 1926 to 1938. During this time, Hjorth de...
Wood
$4,190
H 35.04 in W 16.54 in D 20.48 in
Early Swedish Modern Wooden Dining Office Chair in Pine by Carl Malmsten, 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and early Swedish mid century modern wooden chair in dark brown stained pine with a sculptural shaped back designed and produced by Carl Malmsten and his cabinetmakers in 1933...
Pine
Pair of French Wrought Iron Martini Tables
Located in London, GB
Wrought iron martini tables, hand made in England inspired by an original 1940s French design. Finished with a natural bronze patina as standard. Can also be supplied in black or gi...
Iron
Swedish Dining Chairs in Pine, c1965
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Swedish Pine Dining Chairs epitomize rustic charm and timeless simplicity. Crafted from sturdy pine, these chairs blend durability with an inviting warmth, showcasing the natur...
Pine
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.