Fringe Skirt Sofa
20th Century Hollywood Regency Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century Unknown Victorian Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Sofas
Ostrich Leather
Late 20th Century American Modern Sofas
Damask, Silk, Upholstery, Wood, Trimming, Feathers
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
2010s Danish Post-Modern Floor Lamps
Brass, Steel, Other
1860s French Shawls
21st Century and Contemporary English Chairs
Brass
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Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
Vintage 1940s Danish Art Deco Sofas
Fabric, Wood
20th Century British Sofas
Cowhide
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs
Brass
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Settees
Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
1990s American American Classical Swivel Chairs
Cotton, Wood, Down
Early 20th Century English Charles II Settees
Tapestry, Velvet
Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Sofas
Wood
Antique Early 1900s Spanish Baroque Dining Room Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XVI Sofas
Velvet, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Settees
Velvet
Recent Sales
1950s Unknown Chinese Dresses
Antique 19th Century Settees
20th Century Hollywood Regency Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary French Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Feathers
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Cotton, Silk, Down
1990s American Other Sofas
Fabric, Polyester, Wood, Down, Feathers
1990s American American Classical Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Feathers
Vintage 1980s British Country Sofas
Textile
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s British Country Sofas
Textile
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1980s English Rococo Settees
Tapestry, Wool
Late 20th Century American Sofas
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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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
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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.