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Fret Back Chairs

Pair of Curvaceous Italian Fret Back Chairs
Pair of Curvaceous Italian Fret Back Chairs

Pair of Curvaceous Italian Fret Back Chairs

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of curvaceous Italian fret back chairs, Italy, circa 1950s. The seats are currently being reupholstered and can be completed in your fabric at no additional charge.

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Set of Six Bamboo and Rattan Fret Back Dining Chairs
Set of Six Bamboo and Rattan Fret Back Dining Chairs

Set of Six Bamboo and Rattan Fret Back Dining Chairs

By McGuire

Located in Atlanta, GA

Set of Six Bamboo and Rattan Fret Back Dining Chairs, American, circa 1970s. The set consists of two armchairs and four side chairs.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Bohemian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Set of Six Bleached 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Fretted Back Dining Chairs
Set of Six Bleached 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Fretted Back Dining Chairs

Set of Six Bleached 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Fretted Back Dining Chairs

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

A really attractive set of six 19th Century Georgian bleached mahogany dining chairs. They've been hand stripped, bleached and the drop in seats upholstered in a beautiful black velv...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Mahogany

Mid 19th C. Rush Seated Ladder Back Chair. English, circa 1850
Mid 19th C. Rush Seated Ladder Back Chair. English, circa 1850

Mid 19th C. Rush Seated Ladder Back Chair. English, circa 1850

Located in Incline Village, NV

Very nicely appointed Victorian rush seated ladder back chair; English and mid 19th century. A little different with the fret back design, this chair is in completely all original co...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Rush, Wood

Recent Sales

Rare Pair of Late 18th Century English Giltwood Side Chairs
Rare Pair of Late 18th Century English Giltwood Side Chairs

Rare Pair of Late 18th Century English Giltwood Side Chairs

Located in San Francisco, CA

A rare pair of late 18th century English giltwood side chairs, the fretted backs depicting neoclassical bundled reeds, with floral, foliate, geometric and trellis motifs along the cr...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Side Chairs

Pair of Fret Back Lounge Chairs by McGuire
Pair of Fret Back Lounge Chairs by McGuire

Pair of Fret Back Lounge Chairs by McGuire

Sold

H 32.5 in W 22.5 in D 21 in

Pair of Fret Back Lounge Chairs by McGuire

Located in Danville, CA

Pair of fretwork back Chinese Chippendale style armchairs with woven Rawhide bound joints from the Rattan Connoisseur Collection by McGuire.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Armchairs

Materials

Rattan, Leather

Pair of Sculptural Fret Back Chairs by Tomlinson
Pair of Sculptural Fret Back Chairs by Tomlinson

Pair of Sculptural Fret Back Chairs by Tomlinson

Sold

H 29.25 in W 25.5 in D 20.5 in

Pair of Sculptural Fret Back Chairs by Tomlinson

By Tomlinson

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of Sculptural fret back chairs, design attributed to John Lubberts and Lambert Muller, and made by Tomlinson, American, circa 1960s.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Elegant Fret Back Chairs Attributed to Grosfeld House
Pair of Elegant Fret Back Chairs Attributed to Grosfeld House

Pair of Elegant Fret Back Chairs Attributed to Grosfeld House

By Grosfeld House

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of elegant fret back chairs, attributed to Grosfeld House, American, circa 1940s.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Sculptural Fret Back Lounge Chairs by Tomlinson
Pair of Sculptural Fret Back Lounge Chairs by Tomlinson

Pair of Sculptural Fret Back Lounge Chairs by Tomlinson

By Tomlinson

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of sculptural fret back lounge chairs by Tomlinson, American, circa 1960s.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Chippendale Period Carved Mahogany Side Chair
Chippendale Period Carved Mahogany Side Chair

Chippendale Period Carved Mahogany Side Chair

Located in London, GB

This lovely Chippendale period carved mahogany side chair features an upholstered red patterned seat and a nicely fretted back splat.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century British Chippendale Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Six mahogany fret back chairs.

Six mahogany fret back chairs.

Sold

H 36.5 in W 22.34 in D 17.25 in

Six mahogany fret back chairs.

Located in London, GB

A set of six mid 18th century mahogany side chairs with wide seats and cockpen style fret backs.

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

20th century cockpen elbow chairs

20th century cockpen elbow chairs

Sold

H 34 in W 22.25 in D 20.5 in

20th century cockpen elbow chairs

Located in London, GB

A pair of red lacquered mahogany cockpen elbow chairs with fret backs and saddle seats, mid 20th century.

Category

20th Century Armchairs

Materials

Lacquer

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By Örsjö Industri AB

Located in Glendale, CA

'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...

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21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

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Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen
Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen

Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen

$3,126 / item

H 14.97 in W 46.46 in D 14.97 in

Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen

Located in London, England

Bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar. Hand-made to order, this upholstered bench has a fumed and oiled oak frame. Th...

Category

2010s British Scandinavian Modern Tables

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Panoplie Iron Tripod Floor Lamp
Panoplie Iron Tripod Floor Lamp

Panoplie Iron Tripod Floor Lamp

$2,650 / item

H 63.5 in Dm 16.25 in

Panoplie Iron Tripod Floor Lamp

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Iron tripod floor lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new linen shade. Sold individually and newly made by Panoplie. Please inquire for current lead time. Measure...

Category

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Materials

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Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery
Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery

Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery

$15,439 / item

H 32.68 in W 110.24 in D 40.56 in

Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery

By Munna Design Studio

Located in New York, NY

This sofa features a wonderfully elegant fan-shaped motif, with its accentuated curvy lines with decadent and lavish finish. The feminine curves are ravishingly enhanced by the diffe...

Category

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Palm Beach Rattan Dining Set with Six Chairs
Palm Beach Rattan Dining Set with Six Chairs

Palm Beach Rattan Dining Set with Six Chairs

$2,265Sale Price / set|41% Off

H 29.5 in W 59 in D 45 in

Palm Beach Rattan Dining Set with Six Chairs

By John and Elinor McGuire

Located in Redding, CT

Palm Beach Rattan Dining Set with Six Chairs. Amazing cobweb designed back to these sculptural chairs. Covered in a neutral oatmeal chenille. Large oval glass top sits above the intr...

Category

Vintage 1980s Bohemian Dining Room Sets

Materials

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A French Louis XV style full size bed having a curved footboard C 1920
A French Louis XV style full size bed having a curved footboard C 1920

A French Louis XV style full size bed having a curved footboard C 1920

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A French Louis XV style full size bed having a curved footboard C 1920 in old fabric. Interior Dimensions: 56" X 76"

Category

Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

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Queen Hale Navy Painted Maple Cannonball Four Poster Bed with Flat Headboard
Queen Hale Navy Painted Maple Cannonball Four Poster Bed with Flat Headboard

Queen Hale Navy Painted Maple Cannonball Four Poster Bed with Flat Headboard

Located in Tiverton, RI

The Classic cannonball bed features the favorite round ball top bed posts with a merry cut-out flat headboard. This timeless Classic is perfect for guest rooms and children's rooms. ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...

Materials

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Pair of Antique William IV Period Armchairs
Pair of Antique William IV Period Armchairs

Pair of Antique William IV Period Armchairs

$2,353 / set

H 33.86 in W 22.05 in D 24.02 in

Pair of Antique William IV Period Armchairs

Located in London, GB

An outstanding pair of antique William IV period armchairs. They were made in England, they date from around the 1830-40’s. They are of superb quality and are a lovely, compact size...

Category

Antique 1830s British William IV Armchairs

Materials

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Pair of Antique Swedish Armchairs
Pair of Antique Swedish Armchairs

Pair of Antique Swedish Armchairs

$1,949 / set

H 37.01 in W 22.84 in D 22.05 in

Pair of Antique Swedish Armchairs

Located in London, GB

A stunning pair of antique Swedish armchairs. They were recently imported from Sweden, they date from around the 1850-1870 period. They are of extremely fine quality, with beautiful...

Category

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Materials

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Set of Two Large High Back Rattan Lounge Chairs
Set of Two Large High Back Rattan Lounge Chairs

Set of Two Large High Back Rattan Lounge Chairs

$985 / set

H 33.47 in W 33.47 in D 31.5 in

Set of Two Large High Back Rattan Lounge Chairs

Located in Antwerp, BE

Nice set of two rattan lounge chairs, Bohemian Summer chairs for a relaxed weekend holiday. Both chairs are pre-owned and in original good condition.

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Bohemian Lounge Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

19th Century Country French Provincial Fruitwood Farmhouse Table
19th Century Country French Provincial Fruitwood Farmhouse Table

19th Century Country French Provincial Fruitwood Farmhouse Table

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Gorgeous weathered 19th century country French provincial farmhouse table full of imperfections and desirable wear. Crafted from fruitwood with an amazing soft worn patina showcasing...

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Farm Tables

Materials

Brass

Modern English Sofa in a Heavy Weight Stone Washed Natural Hemp & Down Cushion
Modern English Sofa in a Heavy Weight Stone Washed Natural Hemp & Down Cushion

Modern English Sofa in a Heavy Weight Stone Washed Natural Hemp & Down Cushion

By Bloom Home Inc

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

Modern English Arm Sofa Introducing the English Arm Sofa, crafted with heavy weight hemp boasting a soft hand feel for added luxury. This sofa features a down feather wrapped seat cu...

Category

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Linen, Wood, Down

Pair of Constant Night Stands in Poplar Burl wood by Master for Lemon
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Poplar Burl wood by Master for Lemon

Pair of Constant Night Stands in Poplar Burl wood by Master for Lemon

By Lemon

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Envisioned by designer Yaniv Chen, the Constant nightstand exudes an air of refined luxury, celebrating the inherent splendor of Poplar burl wood. Meticulously crafted with impeccabl...

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2010s Portuguese Minimalist Night Stands

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Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razoblade, Denmark, Oak
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razoblade, Denmark, Oak

Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razoblade, Denmark, Oak

$788Sale Price / item|47% Off

H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in

Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razoblade, Denmark, Oak

By Henning Kjærnulf

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and honey coloured lambskin. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. M...

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Set of Six Chippendale Style Chairs and Two Carvers, France, circa 1940s
Set of Six Chippendale Style Chairs and Two Carvers, France, circa 1940s

Set of Six Chippendale Style Chairs and Two Carvers, France, circa 1940s

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Set of six Chippendale-style side chairs and two carvers with wide, comfortable seats upholstered in off-white fabric with blue bee-motif. The serpentine-front seats are underlined w...

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Mid-20th Century French Chippendale Dining Room Chairs

Antique English Victorian Walnut & Brass Open Bookcase
Antique English Victorian Walnut & Brass Open Bookcase

Antique English Victorian Walnut & Brass Open Bookcase

On Hold|$2,353

H 37.21 in W 54.02 in D 11.15 in

Antique English Victorian Walnut & Brass Open Bookcase

Located in Glasgow, GB

An antique English late Victorian walnut open bookcase bookcase in the Regency style, very nice quality and unusual in that the top has a pierced brass three quarter-gallery and reed...

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Antique Late 19th Century British Regency Bookcases

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Fret Back Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of fret back chairs available for sale. Each of these unique fret back chairs was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, fabric and mahogany. Fret back chairs have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. There are many kinds of fret back chairs to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Victorian, mid-century modern and Georgian fret back chairs are of considerable interest. Fret back chairs have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Chesterfield, Morant & Co. and Paul Laszlo are consistently popular.

How Much are Fret Back Chairs?

Fret back chairs can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $4,804, while the lowest priced sells for $795 and the highest can go for as much as $54,609.

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.