Orbis Cor
Antique 1660s German Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Plywood
Vintage 1970s German Space Age Sofas
Leather, Plywood
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Plywood
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Plywood
Vintage 1960s German Space Age Lounge Chairs
Fabric
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Plywood
Vintage 1960s German Space Age Side Chairs
Metal
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s Armchairs
Fabric
Vintage 1960s Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1960s Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1960s Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1970s Sectional Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Plywood
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam, Wood
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Bouclé, Plywood
Vintage 1970s German Space Age Lounge Chairs
Metal
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Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Plastic
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Post-Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Bouclé, Foam, Wood
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Busts
Terracotta, Ceramic
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Space Age Table Lamps
Chrome, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Sideboards
Cedar
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets
Cedar
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Teak, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Serving Tables
Chrome, Steel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Ceramic
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.