Kidney Ottoman
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Metal, Brass
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Textile, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
20th Century American Sofas
Wood, Fabric
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2010s Italian Renaissance Wall Mirrors
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet, Teak
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Bosnian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Fabric, Beech, Velvet
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Antique 1660s Italian Dry Bars
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Textile, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Faux Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut, Bouclé
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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