Hunzinger Platform Rocker
Antique Late 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wood
Antique 1880s American Victorian Windsor Chairs
Brass, Steel
Antique 19th Century American Late Victorian Rocking Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany, Paint
People Also Browsed
Antique 19th Century Victorian Rocking Chairs
Wicker
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique 1860s English Victorian Stools
Walnut
Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Rocking Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Teak
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Side Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Rocking Chairs
Oak
20th Century French Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Stools
Giltwood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Desks
Brass
Antique 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Rocking Chairs
Bamboo
Antique 1880s Scottish Rocking Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet
Antique 19th Century English Rocking Chairs
Oak
Recent Sales
Antique 1880s American Late Victorian Rocking Chairs
Metal, Brass
Antique 1880s American Victorian Rocking Chairs
Antique 1880s American Chairs
Antique Late 19th Century American High Victorian Rocking Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Rocking Chairs
Metal
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.