North Wind Chair
20th Century American Jacobean Chairs
Oak
20th Century American Gothic Armchairs
Brass
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century American Corner Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1890s Gothic Revival Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Early 20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Wood, Oak
Antique 1880s Eastlake Dressers
Walnut
20th Century American Medieval Side Chairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Stools
Terracotta
Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Armchairs
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swiss Folk Art Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Scottish Armchairs
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century American Gothic Chairs
Velvet, Oak
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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic Night Stands
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Biedermeier Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Birch, Ebony, Maple
Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Beds and Bed Frames
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Chaise Longues
Brass
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Wood, Leather, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Dining Room Chairs
Metal, Bronze
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century American Renaissance Revival Chandeliers and P...
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Tudor Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
Antique 17th Century English Jacobean Armchairs
Oak
Early 2000s American Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Mantel Clocks
Bronze
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Beech
Mid-20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Western European Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Beech
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 North Wind chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022North Wind chairs feature a mythical figure, such as a fantasy creature or animal, carved into the top back. The chair was meant to protect a space from evil spirits. On 1stDibs, find a selection of North Wind chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
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