Lyre Bench
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Benches
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Spanish Colonial Benches
Walnut
20th Century French Streamlined Moderne Benches
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Vintage 1940s American Neoclassical Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Regency Benches
Rope, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Benches
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century American Benches
Rush, Wood, Paint
Antique 17th Century Spanish Renaissance Benches
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Italian Neoclassical Benches
Chenille, Velvet, Wood
Antique 17th Century Spanish Baroque Benches
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Benches
Wood
Antique 1890s French Louis XIV Benches
Tapestry, Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Benches
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
Antique 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Benches
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Spanish Baroque Console Tables
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Neoclassical Revival Settees
Brass, Wrought Iron
20th Century European Stools
Metal
Antique 1860s English Stools
Fabric, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary American Spanish Colonial Demi-lune Tables
Wood, Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
20th Century Hungarian Biedermeier Daybeds
Mohair, Wood, Birch
2010s Chippendale Dining Room Tables
Mahogany
Antique 16th Century Belgian Renaissance Tapestries
Textile, Wool, Silk
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Busts
Bronze
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21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Sideboards
Marble
Antique Late 19th Century American Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Side Chairs
Wood, Paint, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Sideboards
Brass
20th Century French Louis XV Chairs
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames
Paint, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Rustic Benches
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century American Center Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Nickel
2010s American Modern Benches
Concrete
20th Century Armchairs
Satinwood
Antique 1880s French Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century Swedish Benches
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Benches
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Benches
Giltwood, Paint, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Chandeliers and Pendants
Gilt Metal, Wrought Iron
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Beech
Early 20th Century Italian Benches
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Benches
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Walnut, Rush
Antique 19th Century Italian Benches
Antique 19th Century German Benches
Fruitwood, Upholstery
Antique 1810s English Regency Benches
Cotton, Muslin, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Benches
Wood, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Benches
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1960s Hollywood Regency Benches
Antique 19th Century Spanish Baroque Benches
Iron
20th Century Spanish Benches
Antique 19th Century Swedish Benches
Pine
Antique 19th Century English Benches
Antique Mid-19th Century Portuguese Benches
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Spanish Benches
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Louis XVI Benches
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1940s French Directoire Benches
Early 20th Century European Spanish Colonial Benches
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Vintage 1960s Neoclassical Benches
Iron
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
Antique 19th Century Portuguese Benches
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Benches
Antique 19th Century Italian Benches
Early 20th Century French Benches
Vermeil, Silver
Antique 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Benches
Birch, Upholstery
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Benches
Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Neoclassical Benches
Walnut, Fabric
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Benches
Fabric, Wood
Antique 1850s French Neoclassical Revival Benches
Oak
Vintage 1960s American Loveseats
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Settees
Wood, Upholstery
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XIV Patio and Garden Furniture
Stone
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Side Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Settees
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Sofas
Fruitwood
Antique Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
20th Century British Georgian Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Settees
Brass
Vintage 1940s French Spanish Colonial Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
Metal
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
Metal
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Iron
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Directoire Armchairs
Fabric, Fruitwood
Vintage 1950s American Slipper Chairs
Upholstery
Early 20th Century Spanish Dining Room Tables
Antique 19th Century Wallpaper
Antique Mid-19th Century American Painted Furniture
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Painted Furniture
Vintage 1930s French Musical Instruments
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Musical Instruments
Wood
Antique 1850s French Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Benches
Upholstery, Oak
20th Century French Regency Benches
Lyre Bench For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Lyre Bench?
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.
Read More
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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.