Needlepoint Wing Chair
Early 20th Century Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Victorian Armchairs
Wood
Antique 1730s English George II Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Chairs
Oak
People Also Browsed
Antique 19th Century Settees
21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Side Tables
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Chairs
Giltwood
Antique 1830s American American Empire Bookcases
Brass, Iron
Antique Early 18th Century French Baroque Western European Rugs
Silk, Wool
20th Century English Country Sofas
Upholstery, Beech, Oak
Early 20th Century American American Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1970s American Modern Nude Photography
Silver Gelatin
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Beech
Antique 1850s English Victorian Cabinets
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 1750s English Chinese Chippendale Sofas
Antique 1780s English Chippendale Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XVI Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Gold Leaf
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Wingback Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
20th Century English Wingback Chairs
Early 20th Century French Wingback Chairs
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Walnut, Tapestry, Upholstery
Early 20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique 1740s George II Wingback Chairs
Walnut
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Wingback Chairs
Leather
Early 20th Century English Chippendale Armchairs
Natural Fiber, Tapestry
Antique 1880s French Louis XIV Armchairs
Textile, Wood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century British Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Wingback Chairs
Wood, Wool
Antique 19th Century French Wingback Chairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Antique 1890s English Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Satinwood
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.
- What is a wing chair used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A wing chair is another name for a wingback chair, which features long armchair protrusions that were initially designed to shield the chair’s occupant from the drafts and intense heat radiating from a fireplace. It has a long backrest with sides at the top that point out like wings. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of antique and vintage wingback chairs.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.