Kittinger Bench
Vintage 1940s American Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century American Rococo Revival Sideboards
Oak
Antique 19th Century American Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Recent Sales
20th Century English Benches
Leather, Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Benches
20th Century American Benches
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Saint Pierre and Miquelon Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Early 20th Century Benches
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Benches
Walnut
20th Century American Benches
Cherry
Early 20th Century American Jacobean Benches
Textile, Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Ottomans and Poufs
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Wood
Early 20th Century American Benches
Iron
People Also Browsed
20th Century Art Deco Wall Mirrors
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vanities
Glass, Mirror, Teak
Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Ceramics
Pearlware
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Moroccan Natural Specimens
Bone
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Vanities
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Vanities
Mirror, Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 1890s French Louis XV Bookcases
Brass
Antique 1890s American Chinoiserie Footstools
Giltwood
Antique 1890s Chinese Chinoiserie Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Cabinets
Iron
Antique Mid-19th Century English Louis XIV Centerpieces
Silver
Vintage 1920s Italian Baroque Revival Vanities
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Desks
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cabinets
Other
Antique Late 19th Century German Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Bronze
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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