Hooded Porter Chairs
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Chairs
Walnut
2010s British High Victorian Wingback Chairs
Beech
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Chairs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century French French Provincial Chairs
Fabric, Cane
Antique 1860s French Louis XVI Chairs
Walnut, Velvet
Early 20th Century English Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker
Recent Sales
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Club Chairs
Vintage 1960s French Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Late Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker, Rush
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Revival Armchairs
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1920s Armchairs
Early 20th Century British Georgian Armchairs
Leather
20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Organic Modern Chairs
Rattan
Vintage 1960s American Wingback Chairs
Wood, Velvet
20th Century Louis XV Armchairs
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Canapes
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Canapes
Wrought Iron
20th Century Armchairs
Vintage 1940s American Rococo Revival Wingback Chairs
Wood, Cane, Velvet, Upholstery
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21st Century and Contemporary Asian William IV Dry Bars
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
Antique 19th Century Chinese Beds and Bed Frames
Gold Leaf
Antique 1890s Windows
Glass
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Sheepskin, Giltwood, Upholstery
Vintage 1980s English Neoclassical Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Bird Cages
Iron
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Bird Cages
Walnut, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplaces and Mantels
Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble
Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Beds and Bed Frames
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century English Louis XIV Centerpieces
Silver
2010s American Modern Cabinets
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Cabinets
Steel
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 ExpertAugust 15, 2024A porter's chair is called that due to its history. Early examples of porter's chairs date back to medieval England and France. At that time, households positioned the chairs near the front doors of homes to give the hall porters a place to sit while they waited to receive guests. Although hall porters are less commonly employed in homes today, the upholstered chairs with their curved, deep backs continue to bear the name. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary chairs.
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