What is a lyre back chair?

A lyre back chair is a type of furniture used for seating that originated during the early 18th century. It features a square back embellished with wood shaped like a lyre, an ancient stringed musical instrument. On 1stDibs, find a variety of lyre back chairs.

What is an antique Bergère chair?

An antique Bergère chair is a Victorian-era French armchair, often with upholstered armrests and a removable seat cushion. The curved back of this chair would be crafted with wicker. Shop a collection of Bergère chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

How do you tell if your rocking chair is an antique?

To tell if your rocking chair is an antique, search the back, rockers and the underside of the seat for a label, stamp or other marking. If you locate one, conduct online research using trusted resources to learn about the maker. By finding out when the manufacturer produced chairs similar to yours, you may be able to determine if your chair is at least 100 years old, making it an antique. If you cannot find a maker's mark, consider contacting a certified appraiser or antique dealer and asking them to date your piece for you. Explore a range of antique rocking chairs on 1stDibs.

How can you tell if a dining chair is antique?

To tell if a dining chair is antique, first look for markings that can help you identify the maker. You will normally find these under the seat. By using information published on trusted online resources, you can research the markings to learn who made the chair and when the maker was active. Any dining chair made 100 years ago or earlier is an antique. Another way to identify antique chairs is to examine their details closely. Most antique dining chairs are handmade, so you can expect to see subtle tool markings and slight irregularities. A lack of these characteristics may indicate that a dining chair is machine-made and less likely to be an antique. For assistance with dating your dining chairs, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique dining chairs.

How do I find out what my antique chair is worth?

To find out what your antique chair is worth, you can conduct research using trusted online resources. Specifically, study the sales history for pieces similar to yours in terms of maker, age, style and type. Because the condition of your chair will also impact its value, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer inspect and evaluate your piece. Find a collection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.

How can you tell how old an antique chair is?

To tell how old an antique chair is, you have a few options. One is to conduct research on your own using trusted online resources and print references from your local library. If your chair has a maker's mark, learning more about the company, artisan or workshop that produced it can be a good starting point. Dating unmarked chairs can be more difficult because certain styles remained in production for long periods. In this case, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your chair for you. Shop a wide range of antique chairs on 1stDibs.

How much is an antique barber chair worth?

Depending on the quality, age, and model, Koken vintage barber chairs can sell for $500 to $6000. Older chairs will often have a higher value.

How much is my antique high chair worth?

There is no universal guideline for determining the value of antique high chairs. Typically, high chairs can cost anywhere between $50 and $500. The price of a high chair is determined by the condition of the chair, its construction, whether or not all parts are intact and its desirability.

What did antique carver chairs originally look like?

The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood . Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.

Lyre Chair Antique

Harp Chairs

1920s Oak Dining Room Chairs

Splat Back Chairs Mid Century

Arts Crafts Oak Chair

Prie Dieu Or Prayer Chair

Lyre Dining

Arabian Or Moorish Chairs

Oak Chairs Carved Back

$1,450

$9,000 / set

Set of Four Italian Lyre Back Painted and Gilt Side Chairs

Located in Charleston, SC

Set of four Italian lyre back painted and gilt side chairs with urn finials, carved floral and shell motif, turned stretchers, and upholstered seats.

Venetian Six Asolane Biedermeier Chairs in Walnut, Lyre-Shaped Back, Hand-Carved

$11,168 / set

$73,392

$3,500 / set

Pair of Mid-19th Century Cast Iron Lyre-Back Garden Chairs

By A. Belokopytoff

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Very heavy American cast iron mid-19th century Rococo and neoclassical garden chairs. Original version Lyre-back splat with cabriole legs and foliate scrolls.

Category

19th Century American Neoclassical Revival Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Iron

Antique French Louis XVI Style Harp Lyre Back Italian Mahogany Arm Chairs - Pair

$2,250 / set

Antique French Louis XVI Style Harp Lyre Back Italian Mahogany Arm Chairs - Pair

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique French Louis XVI Style Harp Lyre Back Italian Mahogany Arm Chairs - a Pair. Item features smaller attractive frames, carved lyre backs, solid wood construction, tapered legs,...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of English Regency Mahogany Leather Tufted Arm Chairs w/ Reeded Legs C 1815

$14,500 / set

Pair of English Regency Mahogany Leather Tufted Arm Chairs w/ Reeded Legs C 1815

By Gillows of Lancaster & London

Located in Charleston, SC

Pair of English Regency Mahogany leather tufted curvature arm chairs with stylized lyre back supports, curvature leather tacked seats, and resting on bulbous fluted reeded legs with ...

Category

1810s English Regency Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Brass

North Holland Lady in her Drawing Room, Dutch Costume Print, circa 1820

$558

North Holland Lady in her Drawing Room, Dutch Costume Print, circa 1820

Located in Langweer, NL

A young woman sits on a lyre backed chair with a red seat, reading a small book.

Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Paper

A Patinated Bronze Statue of a Seated Classical Scholar Signed Doriot

$2,240Sale Price|20% Off

A Patinated Bronze Statue of a Seated Classical Scholar Signed Doriot

By Theodore Doriot

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A finely cast bronze sculpture of an expressive classically draped Greek scholar seated on a curule chair holding a lyre in one hand and an an open scroll in the other, both symb...

Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Materials

Silk, Lacquer, Wood

Mahogany Classical Lyre Side Chair, Duncan Phyfe, New York, circa 1815

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 34 in W 18 in D 15.5 in

Pair of Italian Walnut Hall Chairs

Located in Mississauga, ON

A pair of Italian late 18th-early 19th century walnut hall chairs with lyre shaped carved backs.

Category

19th Century Italian Neoclassical Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Suite of Six French Louis XVI Period, Walnut Chairs

Unavailable

H 35 in W 17 in D 17 in

Suite of Six French Louis XVI Period, Walnut Chairs

By Jacques Cheneaux

Located in Charleston, SC

A suite of six French Louis XVI period, walnut, lyre back chairs decorated with rosettes and leaves and stamped, “J.

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Early 19th Century Empire Style Dining Chairs

Unavailable

H 33.5 in W 18 in D 16 in

Early 19th Century Empire Style Dining Chairs

Located in New Orleans, LA

Set of six early 19th century Empire style dining chairs with lyre back.

Category

Early 19th Century Empire Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Wood

Set of Six Painted and Decorated Side Chairs

Unavailable

H 32.5 in W 16 in D 15 in

Set of Six Painted and Decorated Side Chairs

Located in Providence, RI

Sets of lyre form chairs are quite rare, and of especial interest to us, as collectors of that form.

Category

19th Century American Federal Lyre Chair Antique

Set of Six Classical Mahogany Dining Chairs, Phyfe Circle, New York, circa 1810

Unavailable

H 33 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in

Set of Six Classical Mahogany Dining Chairs, Phyfe Circle, New York, circa 1810

Located in Providence, RI

An interesting comparison can be made between this chair and a well-known Phyfe lyre side chair also in our inventory (see attached image).

Category

1810s American American Classical Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Gillows Regency Mahogany Library Armchairs

Unavailable

Sold

H 36.75 in W 14.75 in D 14.75 in

Pair of Directoire Lyre Garden Chairs

Located in New Orleans, LA

Pair of Directoire Lyre Garden Chairs

Pair of Upholstered French circa 1900 Lyre Back Chairs

Sold

H 34.8 in W 16.1 in D 17.3 in

Pair of Upholstered French circa 1900 Lyre Back Chairs

Located in Southampton, GB

Lovely Pair of French Lyre back chairs. New hessian traditional upholstery with webbing.

Category

Early 1900s French Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Pine

19th-Century Lyre-Back Swedish Side Chairs, Pair

Sold

H 35 in W 17.5 in D 16 in

19th-Century Lyre-Back Swedish Side Chairs, Pair

Located in Sheffield, MA

Pair of neoclassical 19th-century lyre-back Swedish side chairs with fluted legs and gilt paint over red.

Category

19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Pair of French Louis XVI Lyre-Back Side Chairs

Sold

H 36 in W 17 in D 20 in

Pair of French Louis XVI Lyre-Back Side Chairs

Located in Westwood, NJ

A fine pair of French Louis XVI bronze-mounted mahogany lyre back side chairs with fluted stiles and legs.

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Rush, Oak

Two Regency Armchairs

$4,674 / set

H 36 in W 22.5 in D 235 in

Two Regency Armchairs

Located in Westwood, NJ

A Regency style carved and gilt armchair, the rectangular "X" back with a mahogany panel, the caned seat with a tie-on cushion, on turned and fluted legs. Dimensions: 22.5" W x 23....

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Wood

William Birch for Liberty & Co. a Set of Sixteen Arts & Crafts Oak Dining Chairs

$19,054 / set

$1,595 / set

$6,480

H 35.5 in W 19.5 in D 17.5 in

Set of Six French Napoleon III Louis XVI Style Painted Dining Chairs, Circa 1890

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A refined set of six antique French dining chairs crafted in the Louis XVI taste during the Napoleon III period, circa 1890. Each chair features a square, gently tapered back with fi...

Category

Mid-19th Century Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

People Also Browsed

$1,680Sale Price|20% Off

H 15 in Dm 6.25 in

"Phoenix, " Brilliantly Glazed Art Deco Lamp Base by Gregory

By Waylande Gregory

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Brilliantly glazed in tones of crimson, silver and white, this very fine lamp base was created by Waylande Gregory, the renowned WPA sculptor and innovative ceramicist. Prodigious ...

Category

1940s American Art Deco Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Porcelain

Rezzonico chandelier 5 arms clear Murano glass, multicolor details by Multiforme

$4,679Sale Price / item|20% Off

$3,800 / set

H 0.75 in Dm 10.5 in

12 Coalport Grey and Polychrome Enamel Floral Shaped Rim Dinner Service Plates

By Coalport Porcelain

Located in Great Barrington, MA

This set of 12 Coalport dinner plates feature an unusual color combination of a soft gray border decorated with a vibrant palette of brightly painted flowers. There are various combi...

Category

1920s English Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Porcelain

Giò Ponti in the Manner Italian Midcentury Coat Racks 50's

$2,461Sale Price|28% Off

H 71.26 in W 47.25 in D 9.06 in

Giò Ponti in the Manner Italian Midcentury Coat Racks 50's

By Gio Ponti

Located in bari, IT

Walnut wood structure coat rack with brass table anchored to the structure, embellished with brass circles creating harmony in the wooden panel. Crystal hood with brass anchors. 1950...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Brass

18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Light Blue Dorsoduro Chest of Drawers

$8,470 / item

H 38.98 in W 38.19 in D 22.45 in

18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Light Blue Dorsoduro Chest of Drawers

By Porte Italia

Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT

From our Hand-Painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Light Blue Dorsoduro Chest of Drawers. This beautiful piece echoes the sweetness of those still s...

Category

2010s Italian Other Lyre Chair Antique

Materials

Wood

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Lyre Chair Antique For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the lyre chair antique you’re looking for. Each lyre chair antique for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, fabric and upholstery. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer lyre chair antique, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A lyre chair antique is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Louis XVI, Neoclassical and Empire styles are sought with frequency.

How Much is a Lyre Chair Antique?

Prices for a lyre chair antique start at $375 and top out at $39,888 with the average selling for $3,650.

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.

Questions About Lyre Chair Antique

What is a lyre back chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A lyre back chair is a type of furniture used for seating that originated during the early 18th century. It features a square back embellished with wood shaped like a lyre, an ancient stringed musical instrument. On 1stDibs, find a variety of lyre back chairs.
What is an antique Bergère chair?
2 Answers
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
An antique Bergère chair is a Victorian-era French armchair, often with upholstered armrests and a removable seat cushion. The curved back of this chair would be crafted with wicker. Shop a collection of Bergère chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Bergere chairs are a type of upholstered French armchair that have an enclosed design. They’re designed for lounging comfortably and usually feature deep, wide seats. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique Bergere chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
How do you tell if your rocking chair is an antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
To tell if your rocking chair is an antique, search the back, rockers and the underside of the seat for a label, stamp or other marking. If you locate one, conduct online research using trusted resources to learn about the maker. By finding out when the manufacturer produced chairs similar to yours, you may be able to determine if your chair is at least 100 years old, making it an antique. If you cannot find a maker's mark, consider contacting a certified appraiser or antique dealer and asking them to date your piece for you. Explore a range of antique rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
How can you tell if a dining chair is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
To tell if a dining chair is antique, first look for markings that can help you identify the maker. You will normally find these under the seat. By using information published on trusted online resources, you can research the markings to learn who made the chair and when the maker was active. Any dining chair made 100 years ago or earlier is an antique. Another way to identify antique chairs is to examine their details closely. Most antique dining chairs are handmade, so you can expect to see subtle tool markings and slight irregularities. A lack of these characteristics may indicate that a dining chair is machine-made and less likely to be an antique. For assistance with dating your dining chairs, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique dining chairs.
How do I find out what my antique chair is worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
To find out what your antique chair is worth, you can conduct research using trusted online resources. Specifically, study the sales history for pieces similar to yours in terms of maker, age, style and type. Because the condition of your chair will also impact its value, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer inspect and evaluate your piece. Find a collection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
How can you tell how old an antique chair is?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
To tell how old an antique chair is, you have a few options. One is to conduct research on your own using trusted online resources and print references from your local library. If your chair has a maker's mark, learning more about the company, artisan or workshop that produced it can be a good starting point. Dating unmarked chairs can be more difficult because certain styles remained in production for long periods. In this case, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your chair for you. Shop a wide range of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
How much is an antique barber chair worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Depending on the quality, age, and model, Koken vintage barber chairs can sell for $500 to $6000. Older chairs will often have a higher value.
How much is my antique high chair worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
There is no universal guideline for determining the value of antique high chairs. Typically, high chairs can cost anywhere between $50 and $500. The price of a high chair is determined by the condition of the chair, its construction, whether or not all parts are intact and its desirability.
What did antique carver chairs originally look like?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood. Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.

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