French Dog Armchair
Vintage 1920s French Napoleon III Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Wool
Early 20th Century French Side Tables
Marble, Iron
Antique Mid-19th Century French Picture Frames
Paper
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Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Wood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Table Lamps
Wrought Iron
Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Living Room Sets
Silk, Giltwood
Antique Early 18th Century French Baroque Western European Rugs
Silk, Wool
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Tapestry, Giltwood
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary North American Books
Paper
Vintage 1950s French Side Tables
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Antique Late 18th Century Louis XV Settees
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2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
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Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Armchairs
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Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Side Tables
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Early 20th Century Dutch Chippendale Tray Tables
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Antique 19th Century French Other Armchairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Patio and Garden Furniture
Marble
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Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood, Textile
Antique 1810s French Empire Mantel Clocks
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Tapestry, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Armchairs
Beech
2010s French Footstools
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Antique 1820s French Bergere Chairs
Oak
20th Century American Louis XVI Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century Louis XVI Sofas
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Armchairs
Vintage 1930s French Sideboards
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Living Room Sets
Textile, Giltwood
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.