French Barrel Chair
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Slipper Chairs
Textile, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Slipper Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French French Provincial Club Chairs
Berlin Iron
Antique 1880s French Bergere Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Teak
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet
Antique 1840s French Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Club Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1810s French Empire Chairs
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Brass
2010s Pakistani Modern Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Fabric
Antique 1810s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
Cane, Wood
2010s Pakistani Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1970s French Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Rattan
2010s Pakistani Modern Club Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Chairs
Brass
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Mohair, Upholstery
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Down, Feathers
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Bronze
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Lounge Chairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Bergere Chairs
Leather, Suede, Cane, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Lounge Chairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Lounge Chairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s French Chairs
Steel
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Beech, Faux Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1950s French Bohemian Lounge Chairs
Wicker, Cane
Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Armchairs
Fabric, Maple
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century French Folk Art Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 16th Century French Renaissance Armchairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
2010s Pakistani Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Dutch Modern Dining Room Tables
Steel
2010s Pakistani Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Pakistani Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Dutch Modern Dining Room Tables
Steel
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1950s American Art Deco Armchairs
Metal
Early 20th Century French Armchairs
Walnut
Vintage 1980s American Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
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French Barrel Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Barrel Chair?
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 are barrel chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019
Barrel chairs have high, semicircular backs which form a single piece with the arms.
- What is a barrel chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Barrel chairs are accent chairs that feature a curved back shaped like half of a barrel. In some cases, the back slopes down at the sides to form arms. Other pieces are armless or have separate rolled arms at the sides. You'll find a variety of barrel chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who invented the barrel chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023No one knows who invented the barrel chair originally, or even where the chairs appeared first. They became popular during the mid to late 19th century, but it was Frank Lloyd Wright who made them famous when he designed an iconic version for Wingspread, a home he designed in Wind Point, Wisconsin. Wright also used his Taliesin Barrel chair to furnish his own home in Wisconsin. Shop a selection of barrel chairs on 1stDibs.
- What era are barrel chairs from?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The earliest barrel chairs are from is the era of the early 19th century. However, Frank Lloyd Wright created one of the most famous barrel chairs in 1937 as a part of his design for Wingspread, a home in Wind Point, Wisconsin. On 1stDibs, find a collection of barrel chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Reupholster a barrel back chair by first removing the old upholstery from the chair. Use the old pieces of material as a guide to help you cut the new upholstery into properly sized pieces. Reupholster the chair by using a furniture stapler to re-secure the new upholstery in the same manner that the old upholstery was attached. Shop a range of vintage and contemporary barrel back chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a French-style chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023The term French-style chair usually refers to one of two styles of chairs. The first is an upholstered armchair with an exposed wood frame, and the other is a cane chair with loose seat cushions. Both types of French-style chairs are also called bergères. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of bergères from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- What is a French berère chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A French berère chair is a style of chair with an upholstered back and armrests. These French-style chairs are crafted to be wider than standard chairs with comfort in mind. You’ll find a variety of French berère chairs on 1stDibs.
- What are French chairs called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022French chairs are called bergère. Bergères have an upholstered back and armrests with wooden exposed framing. Bergère continues to be a popular style that adds an elegant touch to any room. You’ll find a selection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023What French bistro chairs are made of varies. Introduced during the 19th century, many French bistro chairs feature a frame made of aluminum or wrought iron, while the seat cushions and backrests of these furnishings are frequently made of rattan. This type of chair became especially popular in the busy cafes of Paris during the 1920s. On 1stDibs, find a selection of bistro chairs.
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