Jefferson Chair
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Swivel Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Sheepskin
1990s European Post-Modern Pedestals
Aluminum
Vintage 1940s American Abstract Sculptures
Sterling Silver
People Also Browsed
Antique 18th Century Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs
Bouclé, Wood
Late 20th Century Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Plywood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Early 20th Century Dutch Arts and Crafts Vitrines
Glass, Oak, Satinwood
Antique 1830s English Victorian Lounge Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Wood, Velvet
Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Stools
Cotton, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Chairs
Fabric, Giltwood
2010s Sofas
Fabric, Oak
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Cane, Wood
20th Century English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Beech
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chairs
Brass
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Restauration Dining Room Chairs
Walnut, Upholstery
20th Century American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s American Club Chairs
Antique 19th Century American Windsor Chairs
Vintage 1950s American Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Armchairs
Late 20th Century American Dining Room Tables
Vermeil, Silver
Vintage 1940s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1940s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Aluminum
Vintage 1930s American Posters
Paper
Vintage 1970s British Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Multi-gemstone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Federal Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1940s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Slipper Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1930s American Chairs
Bamboo
Vintage 1970s American Chairs
Chrome
Early 20th Century American Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Early 20th Century French Chairs
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
20th Century European Chairs
Oak
Early 20th Century American Chairs
Vintage 1940s Italian Chairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Chairs
Vintage 1970s American Chairs
Vintage 1970s Italian Chairs
Chrome
Antique 19th Century English Corner Chairs
Oak, Upholstery
Late 20th Century Italian Chairs
Antique 19th Century English Corner Chairs
Oak, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s Italian Chairs
Steel
Early 20th Century American Swivel Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Chairs
Faux Leather
Early 20th Century Italian Bergere Chairs
Upholstery
Early 20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Rocking Chairs
Vintage 1930s American Lounge Chairs
Wood, Rattan, Upholstery
Early 20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Early 20th Century Slipper Chairs
Early 20th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Dutch Dining Room Chairs
Early 20th Century Italian Dining Room Chairs
Oak
20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass, Leather
Vintage 1930s English Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1930s English Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery, Linen
Early 20th Century American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Chairs
Lucite
Vintage 1960s American Chairs
Late 20th Century French Chairs
Raffia
Early 20th Century American Chairs
Wire
Vintage 1940s American Wingback Chairs
Velvet
Vintage 1940s Bergere Chairs
Vintage 1960s Danish Lounge Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s American Swivel Chairs
Antique 19th Century American Carts and Bar Carts
Vintage 1940s American Armchairs
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 ExpertMarch 3, 2023Yes, Thomas Jefferson is believed to have created a swivel chair out of a Windsor chair that he had in his home. However, Thomas E. Warren was the inventor who developed the modern swiveling chair on wheels. Called the Centripetal Spring armchair, his design dates back to 1849. Shop a range of swivel chairs on 1stDibs.
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