High Backed Settee
2010s American Modern Sofas
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Metal
Antique 19th Century English Settees
20th Century French Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Settees
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary American Settees
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Upholstery, Teak
Mid-20th Century British Chesterfield Settees
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Settees
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1970s Settees
Cotton
Antique 18th Century Dutch Rococo Settees
Fabric, Wood, Hardwood
Early 20th Century English Settees
Fabric
Antique 1870s English Queen Anne Settees
Fabric, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Settees
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage 1980s Settees
Cotton
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Settees
Velvet, Beech
Antique 19th Century Dutch Empire Settees
Cotton, Twill, Upholstery, Satinwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American Neoclassical Settees
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Settees
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Settees
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Fabric, Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Settees
Metal
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Settees
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Settees
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Swedish Settees
Silk, Wood
2010s South African Settees
Velvet
2010s South African Settees
Velvet
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Settees
Chrome
2010s American Modern Settees
Steel, Chrome
Late 20th Century American Country Settees
Wood
Vintage 1980s French Provincial Settees
Cotton, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Charles II Settees
Velvet
Antique 1870s French Settees
Damask, Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century Danish Late Victorian Settees
Upholstery, Beech, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century British Egyptian Revival Settees
Wire
Antique 19th Century American Louis XV Settees
Metal
Early 20th Century English Charles II Settees
Tapestry, Velvet
Vintage 1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wool, Mahogany
1990s American Post-Modern Settees
Bouclé, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Neoclassical Revival Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1980s Settees
Leather, Cotton, Faux Fur
Early 20th Century American Louis XV Settees
Metal
Early 20th Century American Louis XV Settees
Metal
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Bouclé, Elm
Antique Late 19th Century English Anglo-Japanese Settees
Mahogany
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel, Chrome
Antique Early 1900s English Baroque Revival Settees
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Louis XV Settees
Wood
Antique 1890s English High Victorian Settees
Leather, Hardwood
20th Century Italian Rococo Settees
Mohair, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Fabric, Cherry
Early 20th Century American Settees
Wood
1990s American Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Wool
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Settees
Fabric, Wood
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High Backed Settee For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a High Backed Settee?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A high back office chair has a tall backrest to provide support to both your back and neck. It helps minimize the risk of chronic neck and back problems. These chairs also come with wheels attached for ease of mobility. Shop a range of antique and vintage high back office chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023High-backed old-fashioned chairs are often called wingback chairs. They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, vintage and modern wingback chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
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