Early 19th Century George III Gainsborough Sofa
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th Century George III Gainsborough camelback sofa with scrolled arms, raised over six
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Mahogany & Upholstered Window Seat
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century mahogany and upholstered window seat, as miniature Gainsborough sofa, with a broad
Mahogany, Upholstery
Amber Velvet and Brass Sofa
Located in Geneve, CH
Amber velvet and brass sofa Materials: Gainsborough Amber velvet polished brass legs Dimensions
Velvet
Antique Chinese Carved Canopy Bed with Alcove
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mid to late 19th century, elaborately carved, antique Chinese bed Chambers was used to greet visitors and usually was furnished with two chairs and a center table: from which tea, wi...
Lacquer, Wood
18th Century French Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional 18th century French sofa exemplifies the artistry and elegance of the Rococo period. Its solid walnut frame is adorned with intricate hand-carved details along the ...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,119Sale Price|20% Off
H 59.26 in W 61.42 in D 18.51 in
Gothic Revival Oak High Back Hall Bench, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Gothic Revival high back hall bench. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak frame with original hand-carved elements in the back and the sides! Un...
Wrought Iron
$3,500
H 39 in W 69 in D 25 in
Antique American Empire Figural Carved Mahogany Recamier Gold Chaise Lounge Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Figural Carved Mahogany Recamier Gold Chaise Lounge Sofa. Item features a carved face to lower crest ands further carved wooden frame throughout raised on paw...
Fabric, Mahogany
$16,238
H 24.02 in W 40.95 in D 21.26 in
Important 18th Century circa 1740 Hand Carved Italian Giltwood Tete a Tete Sofa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare and important 18th century hand craved Italian circa 1740 Tete a Tete conversation settee What a find, I have never seen another ...
Upholstery, Giltwood
$4,116Sale Price|30% Off
H 34 in W 71.5 in D 28 in
Rare Antique American Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa Settee Boston Massachusetts
Located in Dayton, OH
A Very Fine American Federal Period Carved Mahogany Sofa, circa 1810. Features a bowback frame with cross banding. Sloped arms lead to reeded supports in front of remarkable three-di...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Painted Banquette
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A Swedish 18th century Gustavian banquette with its original hand-scraped, painted finish. The solidly constructed frame makes for a sheltering sofa as well, with a removable bench s...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Empire Sofa Schumacher Sabi Tiger Velvet
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th Century Empire sofa. This handsome burl veneer sofa features ebonized and gilt columns, urn finials, with two hidden drawers, all newly upholstered in Schumacher abstract ...
Wood, Burl
French Early 18th Century Régence Carved Armchair
Located in Miami, FL
French 18th Century Régence Carved Armchair, Large and impressive Early 18th Century French Régence carved armchair. This exquisite, fine quality armchair is adorned with tapestry ...
Oak, Fabric
$70,646 / set
H 40.95 in Dm 17.72 in
Nineteenth Century Gilt Bronze Candelabra Pair, French or Russian
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of thirteen-flame candelabra France or Russia Second quarter of 19th century Cast, chiseled and gilt bronze Height 40.95 in (cm 104), diameter 17,7 in (cm 45) 97 lb (44 kg) Sta...
Ormolu
$29,000
H 103 in W 62 in D 91 in
Antique Queen-Size Carved Four-Poster American Empire Bed, Philadelphia, c 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An extraordinary American empire four-poster bed in cherry wood from the Philadelphia area that appears in the book, Philadelphia Empire Furniture by Boor. Features an elaborate seri...
Cherry, Poplar
$9,419Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.71 in W 71.26 in D 23.63 in
19th Century Italian Charles X Carved Walnut Antique Large Settee
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Antique settee 1825s in full Charles X era. The settee is made of solid walnut hand carved. Particular shape called a boat. Large size compared to other antique sofas. Characterized ...
Walnut
Italian 18th Century Sofa in Walnut
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Beautiful Italian sofa, three seats in a bleached walnut with a great patina, new upholstery Italian Velvet of Decortex.
Walnut
Empire Canopy Bed Napoleon III 19th Century
By Empire Furniture
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire Canopy bed France Napoleon III From the 19th Century, In mahogany wood with appliqués in gilded bronze and classical figures. Fluted columns with Corinthian capitals. Ceilin...
Wood
18th Century Irish Georgian Stool
Located in Dublin 8, IE
18th Century Irish Georgian stool with unusual serpentine-shaped rail and raised on acanthus carved cabriole legs terminating on slipper feet. This piece has recently been reupholste...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$27,500
H 42 in W 87.5 in D 29 in
Antique 19th Century French Empire Gold Bronze & Mahogany "Lit de Repos" Daybed.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French Empire Gold Bronze & Mahogany "Lit de Repos" Daybed.
Bronze
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.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
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.