Chair Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bentwood
Chair Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Bentwood
Two Chairs Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Bentwood
$1,550Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Budapest, HU
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet (1900s) This exquisite armchair, Model No
Reed, Beech
$2,200 / set
H 32 in W 20.75 in D 17 in
Pair Josef Hoffmann Prague 811 Bentwood Cane Armchairs /Thonet Czech
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Buffalo, NY
A beautifully preserved antique bentwood armchair designed by Josef Hoffmann, the seminal Viennese
Cane, Bentwood
$2,000 / set
H 31.89 in W 16.54 in D 19.69 in
4er Set Mid Century Stühle Thonet Modell 811 Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 4er Set Bugholzstühle (Modell: 811) von Thonet zum Verkauf an. Das
Wicker, Beech
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Office chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Office chair no.811 designed in late 1920s by Josef Hoffmann in excellent original condition with
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$2,000 / item
H 32.68 in W 20.87 in D 19.69 in
1920s Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Chairs, No. 811 for Thonet, Czechoslovakia
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished and finished by shellac - seat cane strings in good condition - backrest cane strings with minor damage
Bentwood
$5,261 / set
H 32.09 in W 17.72 in D 18.51 in
Five Original circa 1920 Dinette Josef Hoffmann Thonet 811 Bergere Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Poland, Dinette chairs, designed by Josef Frank and Joseph Hoffmann for Thonet model number 811. A
Bentwood
A 811 Chair By Josef Hoffmann or Josef Frank for Thonet 1920s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Čelinac, BA
Josef Hoffmann or Josef Frank chair A 811 for Thonet 1920s
Bentwood
$1,124 / item
H 31.89 in W 20.87 in D 19.69 in
Art deco armchair no.811 "Prague chair" by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
A stunning example of timeless modernist design, this Model No. 811 armchair (famously known as the
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Antique Josef Hoffmann Prague 811 Bentwood Cane Armchair FMG Poland
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in San Carlos, CA
production number stamp, confirming provenance. Details Designer: Josef Hoffmann Model: No. 811 "Prague
Cane, Bentwood
$3,527 / set
H 32.49 in W 18.51 in D 17.33 in
4 Thonet Chairs, Model Prague No. 811, First Half of the 20th Century
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Herentals, BE
The chairs were designed by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet around 1920 and executed by FMG - Fabryka
Fabric, Bentwood
$4,995 / set
H 32 in W 20.75 in D 19 in
4 Black Bentwood & Cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 Armchairs for Stendig by Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Topeka, KS
Hoffman Prague 811 armchairs by Stendig for Thonet! Talk about the ability to withstand the hands of time
Cane, Bentwood, Paint
Chair Thonet 811, 1950ca, Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Bentwood
Thonet No. 811 Chairs Attributed to Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Thonet no. 811 chairs attributed to Josef Hoffmann fully restored, dark stained, shellack polish
Beech, Plywood
Office chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Office chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet. Combination or natural rattan and plastic
Rattan, Plastic, Bentwood
Modern Josef Hoffmann Thonet No 811 Turquoise Velvet Dining Chair
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Houston, TX
Modern dining chair designed by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet - No 811 . Freshly upholstered in a lush
Velvet
Rare Thonet A 811/4 dining chairs by Josef Hoffmann, 1930s
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Set of four very rare 1932 Josef Hoffmann chairs version A 811/4 crafted from lacquered beech wood
Beech
Set of Four Thonet A 811/4 Chairs by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Rare version of famous Josef Hoffmann chair from 1932 under catalogue number A 811/4. Made of
Beech
Antique Josef Hoffmann Thonet 811 Stools FMG, 1930s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Iconic design, Thonet stools / bar stools made by FMG and designed by Josef Hoffman. Also known as
Bentwood
Sold
H 31.89 in W 20.08 in D 20.87 in
Josef Frank and Josef Hoffmann Vintage Set of 4 No.811 Thonet Chairs
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in London, GB
A set of four black lacquered model 811 chairs designed in the mid-to late-1920s. The chairs
Cane, Beech, Lacquer
Rare Thonet a 811 Chair by Josef Hoffmann & Oswald Haerdtl
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Josef Hoffmann
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
This extremely rare model was jointly designed by Josef Hoffmann and Oswald Haerdtl for the 1930
Beech
Josef Frank and Josef Hoffmann Pair of No.811 Thonet Chairs
By Josef Frank, Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in London, GB
A pair of model 811 chairs designed in the late 1920s, the chairs feature handwoven cane seats and
Cane, Birch
Sold
H 31.5 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Rare set of 6 Prague / 811 chairs by Josef Hoffman for Thonet, 1960s
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
The 811 Chair, designed by Josef Hoffmann and produced by Thonet, was introduced in the 1920s. It
Wicker, Rattan
Sold
H 33.75 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
Armed Bauhaus Beech Bentwood J Hoffman Prague 811 Dining Chairs Style Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Falcon, Thonet
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Bauhaus beech bentwood frame Thonet Josef Hoffman Prague 811 style armed dining
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 33.75 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
10 Armed Bauhaus Beech Bentwood J Hoffman Prague 811 Dining Chairs Style Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet, Falcon
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Bauhaus beech bentwood frame Thonet Josef Hoffman Prague 811 style armed dining
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 33.75 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
8 Armed Bauhaus Beech Bentwood J Hoffman Prague 811 Dining Chairs Style Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet, Falcon
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Bauhaus beech bentwood frame Thonet Josef Hoffman Prague 811 style armed dining
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 33.75 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
4 Armed Bauhaus Beech Bentwood J Hoffman Prague 811 Dining Chairs Style Thonet
By Falcon, Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Bauhaus beech bentwood frame Thonet Josef Hoffman Prague 811 style armed dining
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 31.11 in W 21.26 in D 22.05 in
Josef Frank/Josef Hoffmannn, Pair of Armchairs Model A 811/1 F for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Hoffmann, Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Uppsala, SE
Pair of bent wood armchairs, model A 811/1 F designed by Josef Frank or Josef Hoffamnn in the 1930s
Leather, Cane, Birch
Set of Four Josef Frank/Hoffman Bentwood Prague 811 Chairs
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Rio Vista, CA
and Josef Hoffman for Thonet. Each chair stamped made in Poland. The chairs feature cane inset seat
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Four Chairs Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
strong, they can be used normally. The chair was designed by Josef Hoffmann for the "Werkbund-Ausstellung
Bentwood, Textile
Set of Ten Modern Josef Hoffmann Thonet No 811 Blue Velvet Dining Chairs
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Houston, TX
Set of ten modern Josef Hoffmann Thonet bentwood No 811, dining chairs. Freshly upholstered in a
Velvet
Sold
H 34.65 in W 21.66 in D 20.48 in
8x Thonet 811 Prague Armshairs by Josef Hoffmann in Bentwood and Cane – Austria
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
: Josef Hoffmann Manufacturer: Thonet Country: Austria Model: Thonet 811 'Prague / Praga' dining armchairs
Beech, Cane, Bentwood
Sold
H 32.29 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Set of 4 Thonet Dining Chairs designed by J. Hoffmann, Model No. 811, 1940s
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This set of four dining chairs was designed by Mr. Josef Hoffmann and produced by famous Thonet
Bentwood, Cane
Sold
H 31.5 in W 20.25 in D 27.5 in
Josef Hoffmann Bentwood & Cane "Prague" Thonet 811 Chairs, Set of 9
By Thonet, Josef Frank, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Round Top, TX
Set includes a mixed collection, accumulated over time, of (9) "Prague" 811 bentwood + cane
Cane, Bentwood
Sold
H 29.14 in W 18.12 in D 20.67 in
Very Rare Thonet a 811 Armchair by Josef Hoffmann & Oswald Haerdtl
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Josef Hoffmann
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
This extremely rare model was jointly designed by Josef Hoffmann and Oswald Haerdtl for the 1930
Beech
Sold
H 33.86 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Fritz Hansen Thonet 811 Chair by Josef Hoffmann in Bentwood and Cane, 1930s
By Fritz Hansen, Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Odense, DK
Pair of amazing Thonet chairs model 811 designed by Josef Hofmann in the late 1920s. This pair was
Cane
Sold
H 32.25 in W 20.25 in D 22 in
Vint Bauhaus Oak Bentwood Josef Hoffman Prague 811 Armchair by Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Bauhaus oak bentwood Josef Hoffman Prague 811 armchairs by Thonet. We have 22 and
Fabric, Faux Leather, Bentwood
Sold
H 33.75 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
12 Armed Bauhaus Beech Bentwood J Hoffman Prague 811 Dining Chairs Style Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet, Falcon
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Bauhaus beech bentwood frame Thonet Josef Hoffman Prague 811 style armed dining
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 32.29 in W 17.72 in D 20.48 in
Set of 4 Vintage Thonet Bentwood No.811 Chairs, Designed by Josef Hoffman, 1970s
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet-Mundus
Located in Zagreb, HR
Set of four vintage Prague dining chairs designed by Joseph Hoffman for Thonet. Most probably 1970s
Cane, Wood
Sold
H 32.25 in W 20.25 in D 19.5 in
Bauhaus Oak Bentwood & Cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 Chair for Stendig by Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet, Stendig Co.
Located in Topeka, KS
like this classic oak bentwood & cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 armchair by Stendig for Thonet! Talk
Cane, Oak, Bentwood
Thonet A 811 Chair Attributed to Josef Hoffmann or Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed by Josef Hoffmann or Josef Frank in 1920s. Produced by Thonet in Czechoslovakia. The chair
Beech, Bentwood, Cane
Secession Marble Coffee Table by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Office chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet.
Marble
Sold
H 31.89 in W 20.48 in D 21.26 in
Thonet Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Chairs, No. 811 Set of Two, Czech Republic
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
quote as soon as possible Josef Hoffmann bentwood cane dining chairs, Set of two designed for Thonet in
Cane, Bentwood
Sold
H 31 in W 21 in D 16 in
Set of Six 1960s Josef Hoffmann N.811 Prague Dining Chairs by Thonet with Cane
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of six dining chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet. The set is made of two arm chairs, and four
Cane, Beech
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 19 in
1960s Pair of Josef Hoffmann 811 Prague Chairs with Bentwood Arms and Cane
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Josef Hoffmann 811 Prague chairs with bentwood arms and cane back and seats. Made in Poland, 1960s
Cane
Sold
H 31.5 in W 17.52 in D 20.67 in
Mid Century Josef Hoffmann Thonet ‘Prague' Model 811 Chairs, Drevounia, Set Of 4
By Josef Hoffmann, Drevounia
Located in Leamington Spa, GB
Stylish Set of 4 Josef Hoffmann Style ‘Prague' Model 811 Chairs, circa 1970s. Originally designed
Cane, Beech
Sold
H 30.32 in W 20.48 in D 20.08 in
4 x Model Prague 811 Walnut Dining Chairs Josef Frank Hoffmann Thonet Vintage
By Josef Hoffmann, Josef Frank, Stendig Co.
Located in Cambridge, GB
New Stock ✅ 4 x Model Prague 811 Walnut Dining Chairs by Josef Frank & Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
Walnut
Josef Hoffmann Chairs Model 811 Thonet, 1960s
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Basel, CH
Josef Hoffmann dining chairs manufactured by Thonet in the 1960s in Vienna. Solid and darkened
Velvet, Beech
Sold
H 31.5 in W 20.67 in D 17.72 in
Josef Hoffmann, Bentwood and Cane No. 811 Chairs, Set of Four, 1960s
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Schagen, NL
This set of four beautiful chairs was designed by Josef Hoffmann and produced in Romania, circa
Cane, Bentwood
$3,850 / set
H 37.8 in W 18.12 in D 18.9 in
Set of Four Vintage Prague 811 Chair By Josef Hoffmann 1950s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Čelinac, BA
Josef Hoffmann Prague 811 Chairs for Stol Kamnik 1950s
Cane, Bentwood
$804Sale Price / item|47% Off
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razoblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and honey coloured lambskin. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. M...
Oak
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Linen, Velvet
$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
$1,413Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.25 in W 16.25 in D 18.5 in
Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
Designed by the renowned Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann in 1907 for the Fledermaus Cafe in Vienna, this single "Fledermaus" Model number 728, aka "Bat" Cafe chair features black u...
Leather, Faux Leather, Beech
Coffee Table by Mario Marenco for Mobilgirgi, Italy 1970s
By Mario Marenco
Located in Roma, IT
Coffee Table by Mario Marenco for Mobilgirgi, Italy 1970s. Cm 32,00 x 87,00 x 87,00. Walnut Wood. Good conditions!
Walnut
Marble Scalloped Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Italian scalloped sink basin cut from one single block of Carrara marble. Custom sizes available
Marble
$690
H 31.75 in W 20 in D 20 in
Classic Josef Hoffman for Ligna Set of Five Bentwood and gut Chairs / Czech
By Josef Hoffmann, Ligna
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Set of five No. 811 Thonet arm chairs or Prague chairs designed by Josef Hoffman made by Ligna / Czechoslovaka.. The chairs feature an iconic bentwood frame design with squa...
Cane, Bentwood
$1,250 / item
H 31 in W 18 in D 19 in
10 Niels O. Møller Dining Chairs Model 71 by J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
10 teak dining chairs designed by Niels Otto Møller for J. L. Møllers Møbelfabrik. The model 71 dates to 1968 and is an exceptional chair offering a very comfortable posture and the ...
Teak, Upholstery
1950s Swedish Velvet Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' Sofa, circa 1950s First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden, the 'Samspel' sofa is one of the finest pieces to be drawn by Sweden...
Wool, Cotton, Beech
Sold|$2,603 / item
H 13.78 in W 10.24 in D 9.85 in
Swedish Mid Century Sconces in Brass by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Karlstad, SE
Stunning wall sconces model 2389 by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. The lamps give a soft secondary light as the reflectors lighten up the brass back plate. Condition: Very good origi...
Brass
$2,556 / item
H 29.14 in W 20.87 in D 18.12 in
Customizable Wittmann Fledermaus Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Price listed for starting fabric. Specially designed in 1907 for the Fledermaus cabaret in Vienna, this suite still stands for exceptional bentwood craft. The runners and the wooden...
Leather, Fabric
Rare Armchair by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet-Mundus, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare beech bentwood frame, leather upholstery. Designed circa 1900-1910 by Josef Hoffmann for Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna. Made by Thonet. Delivery time about 4-6 weeks. Price per c...
Beech, Bentwood
$7,800 / set
H 29.92 in W 22.05 in D 21.65 in
Art Nouveau Thonet Armchairs by Josef Hoffmann, White Lacquered, AT ca. 1905
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic pair of white Art Nouveau Thonet armchairs from the period around 1905 in Austria. The timeless design of this iconic Art Nouveau armchairs comes from the pen of no other t...
Fabric, Bentwood
1940s Danish Mohair Sofa with Channel Back and Curved Silhouette
Located in Oakland, CA
Elegant 1940s Danish sofa features a gracefully curved form with vertical channel-back tufting, offering both sculptural presence and structured comfort. Built with exceptional craft...
Mohair
$1,041 / item
H 30.71 in W 17.33 in D 19.49 in
Bruno Rey Dining Chairs Vintage Brown Beech Green 1970s Up to Twenty Five
By Bruno Rey
Located in Vienna, AT
Bruno Rey vintage dining chairs from honey brown beech and upholstery covered with green textile fabric. The wonderful 25 pieces of vintage dining chairs were designed by Bruno Rey 1...
Beech, Plywood
The Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann was a central figure in the evolution of modern design, and a leader in an aesthetic movement born in Europe in the late 19th century that rejected florid, extravagant ornamentation in favor of a new emphasis on simplicity of line.
As a founder of the Vienna Secession — a union of artists and designers determined to upend Austria’s artistic conservatism — and later, a founder of the turn-of-the-century Wiener Werkstätte (in English: the Viennese Workshops), a design cooperative that produced superbly crafted furniture and housewares, Hoffmann was a pioneering practitioner of what would become a fundamental principle of modernism: that good design is a way of life.
Hoffmann came of age amidst a shift in the culture of the applied arts, as a conservative order that looked only to the past for inspiration was pushed aside. But what, exactly, would replace that order was in question — and Hoffmann’s career embodies the developing patterns of design’s new spirit. His architectural work reflects his time as a student of the Vienna architect Otto Wagner, who disdained excessive decoration and employed new materials such as steel girders and reinforced concrete to create buildings with airy, open interiors full of light.
As a designer of furniture and interiors, Hoffmann was consistently open-minded about the aesthetics he explored. He was an early adherent of the flowing, organic forms of the Art Nouveau design movement that began to flourish in the late 1880s — but by the opening of the Wiener Werkstätte in 1903, Hoffmann’s designs embraced the beauty of geometry in pieces that feature grids and angular forms.
Hoffmann’s greatest works reflect his ability to combine seemingly conflicting design visions into coherent wholes. His architectural masterpiece, the Stoclet Palace in Brussels, has an exterior that groups together simple geometric forms and spacious interiors marked by subtly naturalistic design details that lend rooms an air of charm and geniality.
Hoffmann’s signature furniture design is an adjustable lounge chair — the Sitzmaschine (1905) — that marries a curving frame with square and rectangular back- and side rests. This piece, like so many others by Hoffmann, reflects a groundbreaking, forward-thinking appreciation for the union of different looks and sources that marks the best of interior design in our own day. Moreover, items offered on 1stDibs — which range from enameled silver jewelry, to silver flower vase baskets and other decorative objects, to sofas, lighting pendants and sconces — testify to the astonishing breadth of Hoffman’s creative pursuits. He was truly a giant of design.
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.