French Velvet Settee
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Settees
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Victorian Settees
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Settees
Upholstery
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Settees
Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Giltwood
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Settees
Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century British Modern Settees
Velvet
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Settees
Velvet
Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Settees
Mahogany, Velvet
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Settees
Velvet, Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Settees
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Directoire Settees
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Charles II Settees
Velvet
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Settees
Velvet, Cherry
Early 20th Century English Charles II Settees
Tapestry, Velvet
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Velvet
Antique Early 1900s English Baroque Revival Settees
Velvet
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Settees
Upholstery, Velvet, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s European Louis XV Settees
Walnut
20th Century American French Provincial Settees
Fabric, Wood, Down
Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Settees
Silk, Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Settees
Cotton, Wood
Antique 19th Century Louis XIII Settees
Walnut, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Empire Settees
Bronze
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Settees
Velvet, Fruitwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Velvet
2010s South African Settees
Velvet
2010s South African Settees
Velvet
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Settees
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Vintage 1930s French Neoclassical Settees
Wood, Velvet
Antique 1860s French Louis XV Settees
Velvet, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Settees
Bamboo
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Settees
Walnut, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1920s French French Provincial Loveseats
Walnut, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Canapes
Steel, Metal
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Loveseats
Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Canapes
Velvet, Cane, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown French Provincial Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th Century Victorian Living Room Sets
Velvet, Rosewood
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Sofas
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1970s Empire Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Mohair, Silk, Wood, Giltwood
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Living Room Sets
Fabric, Wood
2010s French Sofas
Beech, Velvet
Antique Early 1900s English Baroque Revival Armchairs
Velvet
Early 20th Century French Victorian Bergere Chairs
Mohair, Velvet, Wood, Walnut
Antique 18th Century French Directoire Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Chinoiserie Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Cherry
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Cherry
Mid-20th Century European French Provincial Pillows and Throws
Cotton
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Living Room Sets
Damask, Giltwood
2010s French Modern Benches
Steel
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French Velvet Settee For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Velvet Settee?
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.