Irish Famine Chair
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Pine
Antique 1820s Irish Primitive Rocking Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Elm, Oak
Recent Sales
Antique Mid-19th Century Irish Windsor Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century Irish Rustic Side Chairs
Ash
Antique 1820s English Georgian Chairs
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Irish Chairs
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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern End Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century Dressers
Pine
Mid-20th Century French Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Vintage 1940s English Bookcases
Pine
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Leather, Rosewood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chairs
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Corner Chairs
Bamboo, Rattan
Antique 18th Century English Chairs
Elm
Antique 19th Century Dressers
Pine
Antique 19th Century Dressers
Pine
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Brutalist Stools
Pine, Birch
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Metal, Chrome
Antique 18th Century Irish Rustic Chairs
Ash
Antique 1780s Welsh Chairs
Wood
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.
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