George I Settee
20th Century English Country Settees
Velvet, Beech, Oak
Antique Early 1900s English Baroque Revival Settees
Velvet
Antique 1740s Italian George II Loveseats
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Dutch Colonial Side Chairs
Ebony
Antique Early 1900s English Baroque Revival Armchairs
Velvet
Antique 18th Century English Regency Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Hardwood
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Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Cabinets
Brass
1880s Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1970s American Modern End Tables
Brass, Steel
Antique 19th Century Windows
Stained Glass
20th Century Italian Pier Mirrors and Console Mirrors
Cast Stone, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Baroque Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Bird Cages
Copper, Iron, Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Beds and Bed Frames
Giltwood
Early 20th Century American American Classical Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
2010s British Rococo Console Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century English Settees
Fabric
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Games
Bronze
Recent Sales
Antique 1760s English George I Settees
Walnut
Antique 1780s English George III Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Settees
Mahogany, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Settees
Fabric
Antique Early 1900s English Baroque Revival Settees
Velvet
Antique Early 1700s English Baroque Settees
Walnut
Antique 1740s British George I Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Great Britain (UK) Early Victorian Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Modern Slipper Chairs
Fabric, Plastic, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary British Victorian Settees
Fabric
20th Century English Victorian Settees
Velvet, Beech
Antique 1780s English George III Armchairs
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Benches
Oak
Antique Early 1900s English Victorian Stools
Leather, Hardwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Settees
Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English George I Settees
Walnut
Antique 1880s English Victorian Settees
Mahogany
Antique 1850s English Victorian Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 1850s English Victorian Sofas
Mahogany
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.
- What is a borne settee?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A borne settee is a circular, upholstered Victorian ottoman-style sofa with three or four seat divisions. It provides a backrest in its central cone element and has also been referred to as a “conversation seat.” Borne settees are frequently situated in hotel lobbies and galleries. On 1stDibs, find a range of antique and vintage settees.
- Who named the settee?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The first person who called a settee a settee is unknown. Historians have traced the name back to the Middle Ages when the furniture first came into production. Settee comes from the Old English word “setl,” which described a long wooden bench. On 1st 1stDibs, find a selection of antique settees.
- What is a settee used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A settee is a padded seat with a back and armrests (which are often cushioned) that may accommodate two or more people sitting or reclining. Settees aren’t as wide as couches or sofas. A settee is more intimate and offers more sitting room than an armchair. On 1stDibs, find a range of antique and vintage settees.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The difference between a sofa and a settee is largely a matter of personal opinion. Technically, the two words refer to the same thing. However, settee is no longer a commonly used term. As a result, some people call antique couches “settees,” and newer examples of the furniture “sofas.” On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique and vintage sofas and settees.
- What does a settee look like?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024A settee looks similar to a sofa in the U.S. It typically features a sturdy frame clad in leather or textile upholstery and rests on a sturdy base or legs. The main difference between a settee and a sofa is proportions. A settee is usually lower and shorter than a conventional sofa. In India and some other countries, the term settee is actually a synonym for sofa and describes the same type of furniture. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of settees.
- Who is George Mulhauser?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023George Mulhauser was a furniture designer. He is best known for designing a chair called Mr. Chair, a luxurious reclining mid-century modern lounge chair for Plycraft made from a single sheet of plywood. Other famous designs by Mulhauser include the Coconut chair and the Origami chair. Shop a range of George Mulhauser furniture on 1stDibs.
- Who is Georg Jensen?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 26, 2024Georg Jensen was a designer born in the small town of Radvaad, Denmark. He trained as a goldsmith, studied sculpture, trained with master silversmith Mogens Ballin and eventually established his own silver business in Copenhagen in 1904.
For over a century, Jensen’s eponymous firm has produced some of the finest objects in Scandinavian modern design, including silver tableware, serving pieces, home decor, jewelry and more, frequently partnering with leading artisans to expand its offerings and respond to shifting tastes.
Find exquisite Georg Jensen jewelry on 1stDibs. - What did George Nelson make?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George Nelson was a furniture designer central to the mid-century modern design movement. His best-known creations are the marshmallow sofa, coconut chair, ball clock and bubble lamp series. His style included sleek, thin-edge lines on a variety of furniture still available today. Shop a range of George Nelson furniture designs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022George Nakashima is perhaps best known for developing the butterfly joint. This construction method involves connecting pieces with a third piece of wood shaped like a butterfly. The joint forms a strong, sturdy connection and stabilizes pieces to fight the effects of wood expansion. On 1stDibs, shop a range of George Nakashima furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Georges Braque is known for being one of the leading artists in both the Fauve and Cubist art movements of the early 20th century. The French artist produced paintings, collages, prints and sculptures. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Georges Braque art.
- Why is George Nelson famous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George Nelson was an American designer, and for a time the lead designer for the famed Herman Miller furniture company. Nelson is often referred to as the founder of American modernist design and often associated with his more inspired pieces such as the Coconut Chair, Marshmallow Sofa and the Ball Clock. Shop a collection of George Nelson furniture designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Where is Georg Jensen made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 26, 2024Georg Jensen products are made in Copenhagen (Denmark), Hjørring (Denmark) and Chiang Mai (Thailand). For over a century, Georg Jensen has produced some of the finest objects in Scandinavian modern design, including silver tableware, serving pieces, home decor, jewelry and more, frequently partnering with leading artisans to expand its offerings and respond to shifting tastes.
Find antique Georg Jensen jewelry and other other items on 1stDibs. - Where can I buy Georg Jensen?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You can buy Georg Jensen directly from the brand on their official website and many reputable online platforms, including 1stDibs. In addition, more than 1,100 brick-and-mortar retailers carry Georg Jensen jewelry, silverware and home decor. You'll find a large selection of Georg Jensen on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024Georges Seurat is famous for his work as an artist. The French painter helped pioneer Pointillism, a style of art where tiny dots of color form a complete composition when viewed from afar. One of the best-known examples of Pointillism is Seurat's painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, which he worked on from 1884 to 1886. Shop a range of fine art on 1stDibs.
- What did Georges Rouault depict?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022After meeting and being influenced by Catholic writer Léon Bloy, Georges Rouault sought to depict the tragedy of the human condition in his work. You can shop a selection of Georges Rouault’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To pronounce Georges Rouault, say "JOR-juh ROO-oh." The Fauvist and Expressionist painter was born in Paris, France, and his name is of French origin. Find a variety of Georges Rouault art on 1stDibs.
- How do I pronounce Georg Jensen?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 26, 2024To pronounce Georg Jensen, say "GAY-org JEN-sin." In Jensen’s native Denmark, the designer's name is pronounced “GI-yo YEN-sen” (the “G” sound is hard, as it is with “give” or “gum”).
Georg Jensen was a designer born in the small town of Radvaad, Denmark. He trained as a goldsmith, studied sculpture, trained with master silversmith Mogens Ballin and eventually established his own internationally celebrated silver business in Copenhagen in 1904.
Find antique Georg Jensen jewelry on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022No, George Nakashima didn’t usually sign the majority of his works. Instead, he normally added the name of the client to the timber selected to start the project. The writing usually appears in simple black marker. On 1stDibs, find a variety of George Nakashima furniture.
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