John Vedel Rieper
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wool, Oak
20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1950s Dining Room Sets
Leather, Oak, Teak
20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Teak
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Velvet, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Vintage 1960s Unknown Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
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Marble, Carrara Marble, Onyx, Travertine, Gold Leaf
2010s South African Minimalist Night Stands
Wood
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Wood, Poplar, Burl
2010s American Minimalist Beds and Bed Frames
Plywood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Tables
Mohair, Oak
2010s American Modern Cabinets
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2010s American Modern Chairs
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofa Tables
Oak
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
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20th Century European Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Pine
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Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Birch
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
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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