French Ladderback
Antique Late 19th Century French Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s French Country Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century French Baroque Dining Room Chairs
Fruitwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Rush, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Rush, Fruitwood
Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century French French Provincial Benches
Wicker, Oak, Paint
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Armchairs
Rush, Wood
20th Century French Modern Chairs
Rush, Hardwood
Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Armchairs
Straw, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Armchairs
Straw, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Side Chairs
Rush, Ash
Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Oak, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Oak
20th Century American Country Chairs
Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Country Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
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2010s Portuguese Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 1880s French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1930s North American Hepplewhite Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Hardwood
Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Rosewood
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Hickory, Pine
Antique Mid-19th Century American Side Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
20th Century British Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Rush, Oak
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Lacquer, Wood, Foam, Upholstery, Mohair, Fabric
2010s German Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Birch, Lacquer
20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s American Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Upholstery, Beech
Early 20th Century French Rustic Chairs
Rush, Wood
20th Century French Armchairs
Mid-20th Century Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
20th Century French Country Side Chairs
Vintage 1970s French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Rush, Hardwood
Late 20th Century French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Hardwood
Late 20th Century French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood, Rush
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Vintage 1930s French Country Dining Room Chairs
20th Century French Settees
Walnut
Vintage 1940s French Dining Room Chairs
Cherry
20th Century Country Armchairs
Rush, Walnut
Late 20th Century French Provincial Loveseats
Upholstery, Rush, Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1960s French Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood
Vintage 1910s French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Walnut
Late 20th Century French Provincial Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Upholstery
Late 20th Century French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Cherry
Vintage 1950s French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Early 20th Century Primitive Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Oak
Early 20th Century Primitive Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Oak
Vintage 1960s Estonian Chairs
Bentwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Leather
20th Century French Armchairs
Brass
20th Century French Country Armchairs
Lacquer, Rush, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Side Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Vintage 1960s French Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood
Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 18th Century Armchairs
Rush, Cherry
Mid-20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood
Early 20th Century French Armchairs
Wood, Rush
21st Century and Contemporary English Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1920s French Country Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Chaise Longues
Wood
Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Wood
Vintage 1970s French Provincial Settees
Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1930s French Side Chairs
Beech
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Elm
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Rush, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Side Chairs
20th Century Louis XIV Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Cherry
1990s American French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Rush
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Cherry
20th Century French Revival Farm Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Fruitwood, Oak
Mid-20th Century French Country Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
French Ladderback For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Ladderback?
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
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.