French 1920s Painted Settee
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Settees
Fabric
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Loveseats
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Benches
Rush, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Belgian Neoclassical Benches
Wood, Cane
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21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Benches
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Benches
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Sofas
Copper
Vintage 1920s English Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood, Oak
Vintage 1920s Vases
Art Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Blown Glass
20th Century French Country Barware
Chrome
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Mantel Clocks
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Stools
Leather, Upholstery, Velvet
2010s Italian Side Tables
Onyx
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Daybeds
Iron
19th Century Academic Nude Paintings
Oil
Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century American American Classical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Velvet, Giltwood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Settees
Linen, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Settees
Wood, Linen
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Settees
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Settees
Early 20th Century French Settees
Wood, Fabric
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Settees
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1920s French Neoclassical Settees
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century French Sofas
Wood, Gesso, Cane, Muslin
Early 20th Century French Sofas
Wood, Linen
Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Canapes
Beech
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Living Room Sets
Cane, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Canapes
Wood, Fabric
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Living Room Sets
Vintage 1920s French Canapes
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Early 20th Century French Settees
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Canapes
Walnut
Vintage 1920s French Louis XIV Loveseats
Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Settees
Wood, Fruitwood, Upholstery, Cotton, Muslin
Early 20th Century American Sofas
Wood
Early 20th Century French Sofas
Early 20th Century French Sofas
Wood, Cotton
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Armchairs
Steel
20th Century French Louis XV Loveseats
Burlap, Down, Foam, Fruitwood, Upholstery
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Paint, Wood
Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Wood
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.
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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.