What is a mid-century chair?

A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.

How can you tell if a chair is mid century?

To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

Are Wassily chairs mid-century modern?

Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is an iconic chair from the mid-century modern era?

Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

Mid Century Swoop Chair

Regency Bergere Cane Library Chair

Vintage Accent Chairs

Mid Century Modern Molded Plywood

Arm Chairs With Caning

Herman Miller Swoop Chair

Rattan Game Table And Chairs

Posture Chair

Kane Brian

Restored Mid-Century Swoop Horseshoe Back Rattan Accent Chair

$525Sale Price|40% Off

H 31 in W 19 in D 26 in

Restored Mid-Century Swoop Horseshoe Back Rattan Accent Chair

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Restored Mid-century era rattan side accent chair featuring 5 strand seat back with a horseshoe

Category

Vintage 1950s Side Chairs

Materials

Rattan

Marco Zanuso Styled Swoop Arm Chairs

$2,500 / set

H 37.75 in W 31.75 in D 39.5 in

Marco Zanuso Styled Swoop Arm Chairs

By Marco Zanuso

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This pair of Italian arm chairs feature dramatic design and maximum comfort. With sweeping lines

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Swoop Plywood Lounge Chairs in Wool & Ash by Brian Kane for Herman Miller, Pair

$3,000 / set

H 30.5 in W 33 in D 32 in

Swoop Plywood Lounge Chairs in Wool & Ash by Brian Kane for Herman Miller, Pair

By Brian Kane, Herman Miller

Located in Stamford, CT

style, particularly showcased through the Swoop Plywood Lounge Chair. Kane meticulously studied the

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Recent Sales

Adrian Pearsall Style Mid Century Walnut Swoop Lounge Chair

Sold

H 36 in W 29 in L 36 in

Adrian Pearsall Style Mid Century Walnut Swoop Lounge Chair

By Adrian Pearsall

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Adrian Pearsall style mid century walnut swoop lounge chair The chair measures: 29 wide x 33

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

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Restored Mid-Century Swoop Rattan Accent Side Chair

Sold

H 34 in W 18.5 in D 19 in

Restored Mid-Century Swoop Rattan Accent Side Chair

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Restored Mid-century rattan side accent chair featuring a 5-strand seat back with a horseshoe arch

Category

Vintage 1950s Side Chairs

Materials

Rattan

Herman Miller Swoop Plywood Lounge Chairs in Terra Cotta by Brian Kane, Pair

Sold

H 99 in W 33 in D 32 in

Herman Miller Swoop Plywood Lounge Chairs in Terra Cotta by Brian Kane, Pair

By Herman Miller, Brian Kane

Located in Stamford, CT

style, particularly showcased through the Swoop Plywood Lounge Chair. Kane meticulously studied the

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Caned Walnut Regency Bergeres Swoop Armchairs with Red Cushions

Sold

H 31 in W 21.75 in D 24 in

Pair of Caned Walnut Regency Bergeres Swoop Armchairs with Red Cushions

Located in Baltimore, MD

Pair of mid-20th century French Regency style swoop-arm spoon-back library chairs with caned backs

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Mid-20th Century Regency Bergere Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cane, Walnut

Modernist Swoop Arm Lounge Chair Circa 1950s

Sold

H 29 in W 29 in D 27 in

Modernist Swoop Arm Lounge Chair Circa 1950s

Located in San Francisco, CA

Vintage Modern lounge chair with graceful swooping paddle arms, professionally restored frame and

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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Knoll Saarinen Executive Arm Chair in Velvet, Gold Edition

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Knoll Saarinen Executive Arm Chair in Velvet, Gold Edition

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Expertly Restored - Eero Saarinen “Womb” Forest Green Leather Chair for Knoll

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Expertly Restored - Eero Saarinen “Womb” Forest Green Leather Chair for Knoll

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Pair Italian Leather and Polished Steel Barcelona Lounge Chairs, 4 Available

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Milo Baughman Style Walnut Scoop Lounge Chair and Ottoman

$3,895 / set

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$3,800

H 24 in W 30 in D 30 in

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Saarinen Executive Armchairs in Velvet, Swivel Base, Gold Edition, Set of 6

$19,500 / set

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Saarinen Executive Armchairs in Velvet, Swivel Base, Gold Edition, Set of 6

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Mid Century Swoop Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic mid century swoop chair available at 1stDibs. A mid century swoop chair — often made from wood, fabric and hardwood — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for a mid century swoop chair, we have 151 options in-stock, while there are 7 modern editions to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without a mid century swoop chair — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A mid century swoop chair, designed in the mid-century modern, Scandinavian Modern or modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Van Os, Milo Baughman and Carlo De Carli each produced at least one beautiful mid century swoop chair that is worth considering.

How Much is a Mid Century Swoop Chair?

A mid century swoop chair can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,400, while the lowest priced sells for $472 and the highest can go for as much as $205,000.

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 Mid Century Swoop Chair

What is a mid-century chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.
How can you tell if a chair is mid century?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
Are Wassily chairs mid-century modern?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is an iconic chair from the mid-century modern era?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

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