Ladder Back Rattan Chairs
20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
Antique 1860s American Adirondack Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Rattan, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Vintage 1950s Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Teak
Vintage 1950s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Straw, Ash
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Rattan, Wood
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2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile, Wood
2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
20th Century Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Rattan
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic End Tables
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Dining Room Tables
Pine
20th Century American Organic Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Rustic Farm Tables
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
Travertine
Antique Early 1900s Belgian Art Nouveau Side Chairs
Iron
2010s Belgian Modern Club Chairs
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Rustic Side Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Country Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Organic Modern Armchairs
Leather, Rattan, Oak
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Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Wood, Paint, Rattan
Early 20th Century English Side Chairs
Wood, Paint, Rattan
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Organic Modern Armchairs
Leather, Linen, Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Early 20th Century Shaker Benches
Rattan, Pine
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo
Antique 19th Century American Adirondack Chairs
Rattan, Hickory
Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Side Chairs
Cane, Rattan, Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Teak
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker, Rattan
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Vintage 1950s French Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Bamboo
Vintage 1930s French Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
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 ExpertApril 5, 2022Ladder back chairs have a timeless design that was popular in several eras. Early examples date back to the Middle Ages. The wooden chairs became very popular in colonial America and England during the 17th century. Shop a range of antique and vintage ladder back chairs on 1stDibs.
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