Horse Hair Settee
Antique 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Eastlake Settees
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Louis XVI Settees
Walnut
Antique 1820s English George III Settees
Brass
20th Century English Country Settees
Velvet, Beech, Oak
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Loveseats
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Daybeds
Chenille, Birch
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Living Room Sets
Giltwood
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2010s Belgian Modern Club Chairs
Linen
Antique Late 19th Century American Eastlake Loveseats
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Spanish Renaissance Revival Stools
Velvet, Walnut, Trimming, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Early 20th Century British Toys and Dolls
Leather, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Toys and Dolls
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut, Burl
Early 20th Century English Settees
Fabric
1910s Cubist Figurative Prints
Woodcut
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century Unknown French Provincial Settees
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Candlesticks
Palmwood
Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1920s American American Craftsman Carnival Art
Brass, Metal
Early 20th Century American Industrial Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
Leather, Natural Fiber
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Baroque Settees
Vintage 1940s Danish Settees
Vintage 1960s American Settees
Wood, Fabric
Antique 1890s American Sheraton Settees
Mahogany
Antique 1820s Austrian Settees
Brass
Vintage 1920s Swedish Settees
Vintage 1920s Swedish Settees
Antique Late 18th Century English Sheraton Settees
Brass
Vintage 1920s Swedish Settees
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Linen, Paint, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1810s German Biedermeier Sofas
Gold Plate
20th Century French Sofas
Early 20th Century French Sofas
Antique 19th Century American Painted Furniture
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XIII Sofas
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1930s French Country Wingback Chairs
Hardwood
Antique 1820s Austrian Armchairs
Brass
Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Sofas
Leather, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Serpentine
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Sofas
Leather
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Down, Raw Linen, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Belgian Settees
Burlap
Antique 19th Century Swedish Settees
Wood, Paint, Linen
Vintage 1940s French Settees
Antique 19th Century Swedish Settees
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Benches
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Daybeds
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Daybeds
Oak
20th Century French Settees
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 ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Horsehair isn't still used in upholstery. Though it was once very popular, designers stopped using it in the late early 20th century.
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