High Back Lacquer Chair
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Set of Six High Back Lacquered Chairs, Italy, circa 1940
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
A set of six elegant black lacquered high back chairs. The seats are re upholstered in grey leather. Italy, circa 1940.
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
H 43.31 in. W 17.72 in. D 20.08 in.
Weaving High Back Chair
Located in Paris, FR
Chair weaving high back with aluminium structure in blue lacquered finish.
Seat and back made with blue elastic belts. Indoor or outdoor use.
Also available with structure in dark ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
H 47.25 in. W 19.69 in. D 27.56 in.
Paolo Buffa High Back Side Chair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Dronten, NL
All original side chair designed by Paolo Buffa for Marelli & Colico, Italy.
Beautifully detailed dark stained mahogany frame with brass feet.
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 51.97 in. W 17.72 in. D 17.72 in.
Navy Blue High Back Rocking Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Navy blue high back rocking chair. Newly upholstered. White painted wood frame. In good original condition with some signs of visual wear consistent with age and use. Details in photos.
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
H 41 in. W 26 in. D 37 in.
Frank Gehry High-Back High Sticking Chairs for Knoll
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
Located in Chicago, IL
Frank Gehry high back high sticking chairs for Knoll, bentwood furniture inspired by the simple bushel basket.
Gehry quotes:"These come out of my own work, the shapes of my buildi...
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Maple, Maple
H 43.5 in. W 20.5 in. D 43 in.
Four Mackintosh Style Black Lacquered High Back Chairs, 1979
Located in Cerignola, Italy Puglia
In the style of the Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. These four chairs, solidly constructed of black lacquered wood, with orange microfiber upholstery, late 1970s.
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 44.1 in. W 18.51 in. D 18.12 in.
Miroslav Navratil High Back Chair Czech Republic, 1950
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice high back chair designed by Miroslav Navratil, Czech Republic, 1950. This has a very nice black lacquered metal wire frame and a bucket seat like the shell chairs from Char...
Category
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 35.83 in. W 20.48 in. D 27.17 in.
Tapiovaara Style High Back Rocking Chair
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black spindle-back rocking chair with new cushion and headrest. In very good original condition.
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
H 46 in. W 22.5 in. D 28.5 in.
Set of 4 Black Lacquered Thonet N 17 High Back Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in L'Escala, ES
Rare set of 4 black lacquered Thonet N 17 high back dining chairs, manufactured in France in 1960s. In good vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 43.71 in. W 17.33 in. D 17.72 in.
After Charles Rennie Mackintosh 6 Black Lacquered High-Backed Chairs, 1979
By Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Located in Cerignola, Italy Puglia
In the style of the Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. These six chairs, solidly built in black lacquered ashwood, with black leather upholstery, late 1970s.
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Ash
H 42.13 in. W 17.72 in. D 17.72 in.
Bengt Ruda Midcentury High Back "Triva" Chair for Nordiska Kompaniet
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Bengt Ruda
Located in Porto, PT
Black lacquered midcentury high back chair “Triva” for Nordiska Kompaniet.
Maker label underneath.
Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
H 41.74 in. W 27.56 in. D 31.5 in.
Bengt Ruda Midcentury High Back "Triva" Chair for Nordiska Kompaniet
By Bengt Ruda, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Porto, PT
Black lacquered midcentury high back chair “Triva” for Nordiska Kompaniet.
Maker label underneath.
Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wood, Fabric
H 41.74 in. W 27.56 in. D 31.5 in.
Mid-Century Modern Vintage White High Back Chairs Style Gio Ponti, 1950s, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage pair of white lacquered high back chairs or side chairs in the style of Gio Ponti, 1950s, Italy.
The chairs were crafted in beechwood and white lacquered.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Beech, Upholstery
H 48.63 in. W 17.13 in. D 19.1 in.
Pair of Elegant High Back Button Tufted White Linen Lounge Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Sculptural and exquisitely designed lounge chairs in a new heavy white linen upholstery. The front legs are fluted and finished, as are the back legs, in an aged ivory lacquer.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Lounge Chairs
Materials
Linen, Wood, Lacquer
H 36 in. W 30 in. D 33 in.
Chinoiserie Blue and White High Back Chair from the Miami Viceroy
By Kelly Wearstler
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This beautiful high back dining or occasional chair was selected by Kelly Wearstler for her Miami project - The Viceroy Hotel - and later featured in Kelly Wearstler's book, HUE. Ins...
Category
Early 2000s American Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
Materials
Lacquer, Satin, Silk
H 48 in. W 23 in. D 24 in.
Ebonized High Back Karen Lounge Chair by Aksel Bender Madsen for Bovenkamp
By Bovenkamp, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Boston, MA
Danish designer Aksel Bender Madsen created this striking lounge chair, called Karen, for Dutch manufacturer Bovenkamp. It was sold in the early 1960s by U.S. retailer of Scandinavia...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
H 39 in. W 26.25 in. D 31 in.
Adrian Pearsall High Back Lounge Chair, Black Frame with Gray Fabric, Excellent
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Kansas City, MO
Lounge chair by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Completely restored and reupholstered and is simply stunning. High gloss black lacquered frame with grey Maharam upholstery. Scu...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
H 36.5 in. W 30 in. D 42 in.
Pair of Edward Wormley Dunbar High Back Chairs Wormley Estate Weston ct
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Edward Wormley high back wing chairs, important with very few made and from his estate in Weston ct. Edward Wormley (American, December 31, 1907–November 3, 1995) was a noted...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut, Foam
H 37.50 in. W 03.50 in. D 29 in.
Antonio Pavia Lucite Frame w/ Stainless Steel & New Blue Velvet High Back Chair
By Antonio Pavia
Located in Houston, TX
Offered is a Mid-Century Modern Italian and very special piece from Antonio Pavia. The accent high back chair with a Lucite frame, clear lacquered stainless steel and new sapphire bl...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
H 51 in. W 19 in. D 20.5 in.
Pair American Modern High Back White Matte Lacquer Lounge Chairs, James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Hollywood, FL
An American Modern high back chair. This arm chair has a high back for a comfortable seat while reading or relaxing. The white matte lacquer wood frame, with square tapering legs and...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Wood
H 51 in. W 30 in. D 32 in.
High Back High Gloss Black Lacquer Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking high backed high gloss black lacquer chair
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Chairs
Materials
Lacquer
H 19 in. W 17.75 in. D 21 in.
Dramatic High Back Black Lacquered Spindle Writing Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Unique and dramatic 79" tall high-back black lacquered spindle writing chair. This modernist design features a tall curved spindle back, semi-circular base, round upholstered seat, u...
Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
H 79 in. W 42.5 in. L 79 in.
James Mont High Back Chair
By James Mont
Located in Philadelphia, PA
James Mont high backed chairs newly upholstered in brilliant red mohair with the original black lacquered legs. Legs have a drapery detail at top (shown).
Category
Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Chairs
Materials
Mohair
H 44.25 in. W 21.75 in. D 19 in.
Art Nouveau Style Black Lacquer High Back Chairs, Labeled Macintosh
By A.H. MacIntosh & Company
Located in Cowthorpe, North Yorkshire
Macintosh black lacquer high back chairs (labled) as in the Macintosh Willow Tea Rooms, Buchanan St.
Category
Late 20th Century Scottish Art Nouveau Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 59.06 in. W 18.51 in. D 19.69 in.
Two Italian Black Lacquer and Goatskin Seated High Back Chiavari Chairs
By Chiavari
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of Italian black lacquer hight back Chiavari chairs with goatskin covered seats.
Very good original condition.
Seat height: 17"
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 48 in. W 18.5 in. D 20 in.
Pair of Harvey Probber High Back Chairs with Black Lacquer Frame
Located in Bellport, NY
High-back Gondola form chairs of elegant profile.Black laquer frame in continuous movement rises to define high curved back then descends to radically tapering front leg;back tapered...
Category
American Chairs
H 39 in. W 26 in. D 23 in.
Pair of Mackintosh High Back Chairs, 1980s
By Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Located in Florence, IT
Pair of high back chairs in black lacquered wood by Mackintosh, seat newly upholstered with black leather. They are solid and their unusual height it's really impressive.
Category
Vintage 1980s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
H 71.66 in. W 20.87 in. L 71.66 in.
Pair of Mackintosh High Back Chairs, 1980s
By Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Located in Florence, IT
Pair of high back chairs in black lacquered wood by Mackintosh, seat newly upholstered with black leather. They are solid and their unusual height it's really impressive.
Category
Vintage 1980s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
H 71.66 in. W 20.87 in. D 19.3 in.
Rouge Print Silk & Black Lacquer High Back Chinese Lounge Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Rouge print silk upholstered Chinese tall back lounge chair with black lacquered ming style legs and apron with a traditional Chinese yoke style surmounted back handle.
Category
Vintage 1950s Chinese Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 47 in. W 27.5 in. D 30 in.
1950s Modern High Back Red Lacquered Wing Back Armchair
Located in Miami, FL
SOLD A trim and tall profile is featured with this 1950s upholstered wing back armchair, not to mention the rich Chinese red lacquered maple wings, arms and legs. Modern, statuesq...
Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 47.5 in. W 30 in. D 32 in.
Miroslav Navratil High Back Chair Czech Republic, 1950
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice high back chair designed by Miroslav Navratil, Czech Republic 1950. This has a very nice black lacquered metal wire frame and a bucket seat like the shell chairs from Charl...
Category
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 35.83 in. W 20.48 in. D 27.17 in.
Set of 4 High Back Brighton Style Lacquered White Rattan Dining Chairs
By Brighton Pavilion 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of 4 vintage high back rattan Brighton style dining chairs. These have been professionally lacquered white and have new coral and white stripe indoor/outdoor cushions. Cushions a...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Rattan, Lacquer
H 48.5 in. W 29 in. D 24 in.
Art Deco Revival Black Lacquer & Platinum Velvet High Back Chair by Noel Jeffrey
By Noel Jeffrey
Located in New York, NY
This bold and graphic Art Deco revival high back chair was realized by the esteemed 20th Century designer Noel Jeffrey, in the United States circa 1980. It features a dramatic zig-za...
Category
Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Club Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Lacquer
H 42.5 in. W 28.5 in. D 31 in.
Mid Century Black Lacquer High Back Dining Chairs with lucite legs 1970s set 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Mid Century Modern, Bauhaus or Memphis style black lacquer chairs, a set of 4. High backs and rounded waterfall arms. Round seat cushions upholstered in a pink yellow and blue Memphi...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Acrylic, Lucite, Wood, Lacquer
H 45 in. W 26 in. L 45 in.
Pair of Mackintosh High Back Chairs with Printed Fur Seat, 1980s
By Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Located in Florence, IT
Pair of high back chairs in black lacquered wood by Mackintosh, seat with printed fur. They are solid sculpture chairs and their unusual height it's really impressive.
Category
Vintage 1980s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 71.66 in. W 20.87 in. D 19.3 in.
High Back Reading Lounge Chair Attributed to Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Ferndale, MI
High Back Reading Lounge Chair Attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar
As found original fabric shows wear consistent with age and use .
Category
Vintage 1960s American Lounge Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
H 36 in. W 32 in. D 29 in.
Danish Modern High Back Lounge
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This lacquered beech high back lounge is in original leather upholstery.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Beech
H 38.5 in. W 26 in. D 29 in.
Elegant Set of Eight 1940s Hollywood High Back Dining Chairs in Black Lacquer
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous set of eight 1940s Hollywood Regency high back dining chairs features black lacquer legs and platinum sharkskin fabric. Subtly tapered cabriole legs support a single bu...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Fabric
H 46 in. W 17.5 in. D 19 in.
Set of 8 High-Back Dining Chairs by James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 High-Back Dining Chairs by James Mont, each with elongated Greek key backs and Chinoiserie fretwork carved apron, each finished in satin black lacquer with gold leaf detail....
Category
Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Upholstery
H 41 in. W 19.5 in. D 19 in.
Danish Modern High Back Beech Lounge
Located in Minneapolis, MN
If you're seeking a piece of history that's been left untouched, then this midcentury Danish lounge chair with its original upholstery and finish could be what you're looking for. Ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Beech
H 37 in. W 27 in. D 27 in.
Set of 8 Cleopatra Black Leg High Back Dining Chairs
Located in Westport, CT
Set of 8 Cleopatra black curved leg high back slim dining chairs, off-white fabric. Comfortable and supportive. Purchased with a Pucci di rossi table.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Lacquer, Fabric, Hardwood
H 41 in. W 18 in. D 21.50 in.
Modernist High Back Lounge Chair, Made in Japan, Manner of Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist high back lounge chair, made in Japan, in the manner of Bruno Mathsson. Recently acquired from a gentleman who originally purchased chair in Japan. Retains original tangeri...
Category
20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
H 39 in. W 25 in. D 34 in.
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin High Backed Scoop, Cube, Sling Lounge Chairs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent pair of Milo Baughman "Scoop" or "sling" lounge chairs in great condition. They feature a rounded, solid oak frame that supports an upholstered seat in beautiful rust-color...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Oak, Upholstery
H 36 in. W 30 in. D 36 in.
Danish Modern High-Back Lounge with Ottoman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Curved rosewood arms add a lightness to this leather lounger and matching ottoman. Manufactured by Watne, a Norwegian furniture house active in the post-war era. Original leather uph...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Rosewood, Leather
H 39 in. W 31 in. D 27 in.
Italian High Back Swivel Armchair, Italy 1950
Located in Vienna, Vienna
italian high back swivel armchair,
Italy 1950
fabric, black laquered swivel base
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 48.82 in. W 32.68 in. D 31.5 in.
Stylish Lacquered Wood and Velvet HIgh Back Chairs
Located in Montreal, QC
Stylish pair of lacquered wood velvet upholstered high-backed tub chairs.
Category
Vintage 1940s French Armchairs
Materials
Wood
H 50.5 in. W 24 in. D 22 in.
1950s Italian High Back Lacquered Chiavari Chair
By Chiavari
Located in Dronten, NL
Wonderful sculptural side chair made in Chiavari, Italy, 1950s. Gloss black lacquered maple frame, original cane seat.
High version of the Chiavari chair in very good original cond...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Cane, Maple
H 48.82 in. W 16.15 in. D 16.93 in.
Pair of Italian High Back Lacquer Chiavari Chairs
By Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi
Located in Hingham, MA
SATURDAY SALE (2/18)
Truly sophisticated Italian high-back chairs produced in the same century plus old workshop in Chiavari on the Ligurian Coast where Gio Ponti chairs were made. ...
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
H 51 in. W 18 in. D 18 in.
Roche Bobois Italian Lacquered High Back Dining Chairs By Pietro Costantini
By Roche Bobois
Located in New London, CT
Set of 6 clean Italian black lacquer chairs with high backs, rounded waterfall arms and black leather seat cushions. Purchased through Roche Bobois in the 1970s. Each back has a Memp...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 39.25 in. W 21 in. D 20 in.
Asian Modern Black Lacquer High Back Dining Chairs Made in Spain, 1980s
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Made in Spain, these black lacquered dining chairs are a mix of Italian, Scandinavian and Asian Modern design. New teal fabric contrasts perfectly with the black frames. circa 1980s....
Category
Vintage 1980s Spanish Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
H 36.63 in. W 18 in. D 20 in.
Pair of Chiavari High Back Chairs in Black Lacquer and Cane, circa 1960s
By Fratelli Levaggi, Chiavari
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of high back Chiavari chairs in original lacquer with finely carved seat backs, exquisitely turned legs and stretchers, and finely caned seats, made in Italy, circa 1960s. This ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Cane
H 44.25 in. W 16.88 in. D 18.38 in.
Set of Eight Italian Black Lacquer High Back Dining Chairs by Tonon
By Tonon
Located in New York, NY
Stylish 1980s Art Deco Revival dining chairs Made in Italy, by Tonon.
Black lacquer frames with off white upholstered seats and back rests (A couple have stains).
Hard to find nice...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
H 41.5 in. W 19.5 in. D 18 in.
Aldo Tura High Back Gaming Chairs
By Aldo Tura
Located in Hingham, MA
A lively set of four tall ladder-back chairs by Aldo Tura with gloss black ebonized frame and lacquered goatskin parchment backrests applied on both front and back with vibrant litho...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Goatskin, Upholstery, Wood
H 47.5 in. W 17.5 in. D 17.5 in.
Pair of Elegant High Back Chairs in the Manner of Frances Elkins
By Frances Elkins
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of elegant high back chairs in the manner of Frances Elkins, American, circa 1950s. They retain their original white lacquer finish and black "patent leather" vinyl upholstery.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
H 45.5 in. W 20 in. D 20 in.
Vintage Lacroix Upholstered High Back Cane Armchair
By Christian Lacroix
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century Hollywood Regency, whimsical wood and double cane high back heart chair. Newly lacquered in bright semi gloss white with gold metallic matte detail throughout. New Christ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Chairs
Materials
Cane, Fabric, Paint, Wood
H 47.5 in. W 24 in. D 24 in.
Set of Six Hollywood Style High Back Chairs, circa 1940
Located in Miami, FL
High back and wide seats. Dark Lacquered finish. Recently reupholstered in a light silver grey velvet.
Hollywood style.
Category
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Oak
H 45.50 in. W 21 in. D 17 in.
1930s Transitional Danish Modern High Backed Lounge by Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This 1930s high backed lounge chair by Fritz Hansen has been restored in a cooling striped Rivera linen by Raoul textiles. The frame has been fully restored for structure. The frame ...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Beech
H 41 in. W 24.5 in. D 21 in.
High Back Lacquer Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the high back lacquer chair you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, fabric and upholstery, every high back lacquer chair was constructed with great care. There are 52 variations of the antique or vintage high back lacquer chair you’re looking for, while we also have 1 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the high back lacquer chair you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Each high back lacquer chair bearing Mid-Century Modern, Hollywood Regency or Scandinavian Modern hallmarks is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one high back lacquer chair that is appealing in its simplicity, but Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Chiavari and Bengt Ruda produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a High Back Lacquer Chair?
A high back lacquer chair can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,300, while the lowest priced sells for $200 and the highest can go for as much as $28,500.
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 antique, new and vintage seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
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Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.