$3,750
H 28.75 in W 25.6 in D 26.38 in
Georges van Rijck 'Cantilever' Armchair in Blue Checkered Upholstery
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, 'Cantilever' lounge chair, fabric, wood and steel, Belgium, 1970s
Steel
Mid Century Beaufort Leather low Cube Chair Georges van Rijck Belgium
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A Beautiful leather low cube chair on black Lacquer wooden plinth base Designed by Georges Van
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 25 in W 63 in D 35 in
Mid Century Beaufort Leather Cube low Loveseat Georges van Rijck Belgium
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Design - Beautiful soft leather great color. Designed by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort - Made in Belgium
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
$2,157Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.8 in W 27.37 in D 33.08 in
Lounge Chair by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort, Belgium 1960's
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Belgian Design Lounge Relax Chair by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort. Made
Faux Leather, Wenge
$5,400
H 28.35 in W 81.89 in D 29.53 in
Three-Seater Sofa by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, Belgium, 1960s
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Antwerp, BE
Three-seater sofa designed by Georges van Rijck and manufactured by Beaufort in Belgium. This piece
Metal
$3,236
H 27.96 in W 24.81 in D 23.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Armchair ‘Cantilever’ by George van Rijck for Beaufort
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Armchair ‘Cantilever’ by George van Rijck for Beaufort - Belgium 1960s
Wood
$7,350
H 35.44 in W 29.53 in D 37.41 in
Lounge Chair by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, Belgium, 1970s
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Antwerp, BE
"Shelby" lounge chair with ottoman designed by Georges van Rijck and manufactured by Beaufort in
Leather, Polyester
$5,694 / set
H 25.2 in W 66.93 in D 25.6 in
Rare mid-century sitting corner by Georges van Rijck, 1960s Belgium
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Adorned in a luxurious petrol green upholstery, this unique set by georges van rijk for beaufort
Fabric, Wenge
$10,070 / set
H 30.71 in W 27.96 in D 31.89 in
Georges Charles van Rijk Pair of Swivel Lounge Chairs for Beaufort Belgium 1960s
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Meer, VAN
Georges Charles van Rijk - often spelled van Rijck or Vanrijk - was born in Brussels in 1933 and emerged
Steel
Modular Seating Set - Georges Van Rijck
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Antwerpen, BE
by Belgian designer Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort in the 1960s. These parts are interchangeable
Bouclé, Wenge
Unavailable
H 25.99 in W 70.87 in D 28.35 in
Midcentury Modular Seating Group by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, 1960s
By Georges Vanrijk, Beaufort
Located in Brussels , BE
Midcentury Modular Seating Group by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort, 1960s.
Wood
Georges van Rijck for Beaufort sofa, 1950s
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Elegant mid century sofa designed by Georges van Rijck and manufactured by Beaufort. Timeless
Fabric
Georges van Rijck Glasgow Lounge Chair for Beaufort
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Comfortable modernist lounge chair designed by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, Belgium. Floating
Steel
Pair of Lounge Chairs by George van Rijck 1970
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Pair of swiveling lounge chair designed in the middle of the sixties by George van Rijck ,Belgian
Metal
Glasgow lounge chair George Van Rijck for Beaufort
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This chair is design by the Belgium designer George Van Rijck and made by Beaufort. It comes with
Leather
Georges van Rijck Lounge Chairs Beaufort Belgium 1960
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fabulous pair of lounge chairs designed by Georges van Rijck and manufactured by Beaufort, Belgium
Metal
Shelby Lounge Chairs with Ottoman by Georges van Rijck
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The Shelby lounge chair was designed by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort. We offer you a set of 2
Leather, Polyester
Sold
H 27.56 in W 140.16 in D 28.75 in
Modular Sitting Group Set by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, 1960's
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
& 2 lounge chairs by Georges Van Rijck for BeauFort, Belgium 1960's. Complete waiting room / modular
Leather, Laminate, Wenge
Sold
H 30.32 in W 27.96 in D 30.71 in
Belgian Modernist Swivel Lounge Chair by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort, 1960s
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
A rare Belgian modernist lounge chair designed by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort during the 1960s
Metal
Georges van Rijck Beaufort Lounge Chair, Belgium, 1959
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Amazing shaped lounge chair designed by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, Belgium, 1959. This chair
Metal
Sold
H 30.32 in W 81.11 in D 30.71 in
Modernist 3-Seater Sofa by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort, 1960s
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
A rare modernist 3-seater sofa designed by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort during the 1960s. It has
Metal
Sold
H 30.32 in W 30.71 in D 27.96 in
Modernist Pair of Lounge Chairs by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, 1960s
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
A rare pair of Belgian modernist lounge chairs designed by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort during
Metal
Georges van Rijck Shelby lounge chairs Beaufort 1971
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Amazing set of 2 so called ‘Shelby’ lounge chairs designed by Georges Van Rijck and manufactured by
Leather, Polyester
Sold
H 30.32 in W 27.96 in D 30.71 in
Belgian Modernist Swivel Lounge Chairs by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort, 1960s
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
A rare pair of Belgian modernist lounge chairs designed by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort during
Metal
Sold
H 28.75 in W 30.71 in D 39.38 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern 'Glasgow' Chairs by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Unique pair of 'Glasgow' chairs by Georges van Rijck voor Beaufort, Belgium, 1960s. Matte chromed
Chrome
Sold
H 30.32 in W 27.96 in D 30.71 in
Mid-Century Pair of Armchairs by Georges van rijck, Beaufort, Vegan Leather
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Armchairs by Georges van rijck for Beaufort, Vegan Leather, Belgium
Faux Leather
Sold
H 30.32 in W 29.14 in D 43.31 in
GLASGOW Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort, Belgium 1960's
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Belgian Design Unique 'GLASGOW' Lounge Chair & ottoman by Georges van
Metal
Sold
H 27.56 in W 21.86 in D 19.69 in
1970's "VIRGINIA" Model Chair set by Georges Van Rijck for Meurop
By Meurop, Georges van Rijck
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Belgian Design "VIRGINIA" Model Chair set of 2. Designed by Georges Van
Chrome
Sold
H 28.35 in W 25.6 in D 27.56 in
Rare Pair of 'Cantilever' Lounge Chairs by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort, 1960s
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort, Georges Vanrijk
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
A very rare pair of Belgian modernist lounge chairs designed by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 30.32 in D 39.38 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Georges van Rijck, Beaufort - 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Georges van Rijck, Beaufort - 1960s
Fabric
Sold
H 26.78 in W 22.05 in D 20.08 in
"VIRGINIA" Design Chair set by Georges Van Rijck for Meurop, Belgium 1970's
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Design "VIRGINIA" model Chair set of 3. Designed by Georges Van Rijck for
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 36.23 in W 29.53 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Shelby Lounge Chairs with Ottoman by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The Shelby lounge chair was designed by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort. We offer you a set of 2
Leather, Polyester
Sold
H 28.75 in W 30.71 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century modern "Glasgow" chair by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Meulebeke, BE
footstool is a beautiful design by Belgian designer Georges van Rijck, known for his elegant and modern
Leather
Sold
H 28.35 in W 25.6 in D 27.76 in
“Cantilever” Armchair by George Van Rijck for Beaufort, Belgium, 1960s
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Utrecht, NL
This eye-catching mid-century armchair is the design of the Belgian designer, George van Rijck
Metal
Sold
H 36.23 in W 29.53 in D 35.44 in
Shelby Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The Shelby lounge chair was designed by Georges Ch. Van Rijk for Beaufort. We offer you a lounge
Leather, Plastic
Sold
H 30.71 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Big Linear Sofa from the Sixties by George van Rijck for Beaufort
By Georges Vanrijk
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Sofa by George Vanrijck for Beaufort in the middle of the sixties. Completely re ulphostered by a
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in L 31.5 in
Spage Age 1970s Rocker Leather Lounger by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort
By Beaufort
Located in Antwerp, BE
Stylish 1970s lounge seat was produced by Beaufort in Belgium. Tufted black leather on a chocolate brown fiberglass base. It has a swivel and tilt function. The chair is in pristine ...
Leather, Plastic
Pair of Minimal Easy Chairs by Georges Vanrijk for Beaufort
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This pair of low easy chairs is designed by Georges-Charles Van Rijk for Beaufort, Belgium in the
Lounge Chair by Georges Vanrijk for Beaufort, 1970s
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in bruxelles, BE
Beige leather armchair with brown fibreglass foot. Dimensions of the footrest: H 40 cm W: 54 cm D: 42 cm Wear due to time and age of the Lounge chair.
Leather, Fiberglass
Sold
H 28.75 in W 25.6 in D 26.38 in
Georges van Rijck 'Cantilever' Armchairs in Blue Checkered Upholstery
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, set of 2 'Cantilever' lounge chairs, fabric, wood and steel
Steel
Georges van Rijck for Beaufort Lounge Chair in Plywood
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, lounge chair, plywood, pink and green upholstery, Belgium, 1959
Fabric, Plywood
Glasgow Chair by George Van Rijck in Zebra Pattern
Located in Antwerp, BE
Zebra patterned lounge chair, model 'Glasgow', George Van Rijck, Belgium, 1970s.
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 27.96 in W 24.81 in D 23.63 in
Pair of Armchairs Model ‘Cantilever’ by George Van Rijck for Beaufort, 1960s
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of mid-century armchairs model ‘Cantilever’ by George van Rijck for Beaufort- Belgium 1960s
Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in W 43.31 in D 31.5 in
Georges Van Rijck Lounge Chair in Black Leather and Chrome, Belgium, 1972
By Georges Vanrijk
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair in black leather and chrome, designed by Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort, Belgium 1972
Chrome
Sold
H 36.62 in W 30.32 in D 58.27 in
Superb Reclining Lounge Chair by Georges De Rijck for Beaufort Belgium, 1958
By Beaufort
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Stunning reclining lounge chair designed in 1958 by Georges van Rijck and manufactured by Beaufort
Steel, Nickel
Sold
H 32.68 in W 25.99 in D 33.47 in
Beaufort Style Cognac Leather Pair of Lounge Chairs, Belgium, 1960
By Beaufort
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful shaped pair of lounge chairs in the style of Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, Belgium
Chrome, Metal
Lounge Chair by Georges Vanrijk for Beaufort, 1970s
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in bruxelles, BE
Fiberglass and leather armchair. Wear due to time and age of the chair. Measures: Seat height 38cm.
Leather, Fiberglass
Modular easy chair - Georges van Rijck
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Minimalist modular easy chair, designed by Belgian designer Georges van Rijck for Beaufort in the
Bouclé, Wenge
pair lounge chairs by George van Rijck for Beaufort 1960's
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Antwerp, BE
pair lounge chairs by George van Rijck for Beaufort 1960's wengewood , original fabric in brown
Mid-Century Modular Seating Set - Georges van Rijck
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Belgian designer Georges van Rijck for Beaufort in the 1960s. These parts are interchangeable, allowing
Bouclé, Wenge
Georges Van Rijck for Beaufort 2-Seater Sofa, Belgium, 1960s
By Beaufort, Georges van Rijck
Located in Antwerpen, BE
2-Seater designed by Georges Van Rijck and produced by Beaufort in Belgium around 1960. The wengé
Metal
Sold
H 30.32 in W 30.71 in D 42.13 in
Glasgow Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Ostend, BE
Lounge fauteuil and ottoman re-upholstered in black/brown leather. Floating segmented cushions are held by a chromed cross-shaped frame. Very comfortable and in very good condition. ...
Chrome
Sold
H 28.35 in W 33.47 in D 31.5 in
Swivel Armchairs of the Early 1960s by Georges Vanrijk for Beaufort
By Georges van Rijck
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of swivel armchairs by Georges Vanrijk for Beaufort. The original vintage structure has been
Chrome
Milo Baughman Chesterfield Style Tufted Sofa
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Milo Baughman Chesterfield style tufted sofa with wood plinth base. In good vintage condition, circa 1980s Dimension: 84" long 32" deep 26" tall seat height 14".
Fabric
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
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 “...
Textile
Pedro Friedeberg Hands & Feet Table. Gold Leaf. Original and Rare
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg surrealist table. Glass with gold leafed hand carved wood. An exceptional example of the artists work. Could be used as a coffee table, occasional table, side tab...
Gold Leaf
$1,758 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 43.31 in
Contemporary Art Deco Mint green and Red powder coated Carousel 5 arms pendant
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Carousel suspension lamp has a delicate balance of form and function that produces a quiet, modern light ambiance for all to savour, with its Contemporary Art Deco lines. The struct...
Metal
$2,400
H 30 in W 25.5 in D 20.5 in
Borge Mogensen Danish Oak Leather Spanish Sling Dining arm Chair model 3237
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia Stolefabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik arm chair model 3237 in oak Original leather Made in Denmark Circa 1964. This chair is in good vintage condition shows wear and patina to Wo...
Leather, Oak
$20,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28 in W 133 in D 57 in
Spectacular Vladimir Kagan Curved 3-Piece Cloud Sofa Sectional Directional
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Spectacular Vladimir Kagan curved 3-piece cloud sofa sectional with Directional label. This rare sofa sectional retains its original orange brown fabric in presentable condition. Thi...
Upholstery
$6,500 / item
H 14 in W 36 in D 20 in
Modern Oval Coffee Table in Walnut Wood Cylinder Base and Glass by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Palazzo oval coffee table with green and ivory Japaneese glass sits on 4 Walnut Wood pedestal by Ercole Home. This new bespoke coffee table design by Ercole Home is available today f...
Art Glass, Walnut, Cut Glass
$6,400 / set
H 31.5 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Kaare Klint, a Pair of Safari Chairs in Ash & Leather, Rud. Rasmussen, 1960s
By Kaare Klint
Located in Odense, DK
A gorgeous pair of vintage Safari chairs in a lovely patinated cognac leather and solid ash. Designed in 1933 by Kaare Klint and manufactured by Rud. Rasmussen, Copenhagen, Denmark. ...
Leather, Wood, Ash
$6,854
H 31.5 in W 63 in D 30.71 in
Rare Arne Norell Ilona Sofa in Original Green Leather, Sweden, 1970s
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original two-seat Arne Norell Ilona sofa in original patinated green leather. Made by Norell Mobler in Sweden. In very good vintage condition with minor signs of use and wear rela...
Brass
Pierre Chapo Style 2 doors French Armoire.
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Miami, FL
Pierre Chapo Style 2 doors French Armoire.
Wood
Maxwell Royal American High Back Arm Lounge Chair c 1950's
By Maxwell Royal Chair Company
Located in New York, NY
Voguish, chic and stylish high back arm, lounge chair by The Maxwell Royal Chair Company. The chair features a sculptural exposed wood frame with upholstered back rest and seat cushi...
Upholstery, Wood
1990s Salotti Post Modern Black Leather Chair
By Nicoletti Salotti
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1990s with this exquisite black leather chair. The ultra rare chair exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design ...
Leather, Wood
LUfo Ceiling Light
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
LUFO perforated brass dome ceiling light by Lumfardo Luminaires. Part of our contemporary collection the LUFO ceiling light is in a darkened patina finish. Hand perforations frame ar...
Brass
$1,240Sale Price / item|20% Off
W 35.44 in L 165.36 in
Bau Haus Style Irregular Shape Wool Rug by RAG HOME
By RAG home
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
CONTACT US FOR CUSTOM RUG Loosely inspired by the design principles of Bauhaus and the vibrant color palette of De Stijl, RAG Home's runner rug offers a fresh perspective. With a no...
Wool, Acrylic, Yarn
Large Versatile Italian Wall Unit in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall unit, teak, maple, lacquered wood, brass, glass, Italy, 1950s. This Mid-Century Italian wall unit seamlessly integrates form and function, captivating with its aesthetic allure...
Brass
$2,750Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 29 in W 29 in D 35 in
Pair of tufted armless leather lounge chairs with wood frames
By Sergio Rodrigues, Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of leather tufted lounge chairs with wood frames. Great pair of lounge chairs great Brazilian design. Light tan soft tufted leather cushions. The cushions sit on dark stained ha...
Leather, Hardwood
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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.