Original Ball Chair
Vintage 1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Plastic
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass, Leather
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Late 20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
1990s Finnish Space Age Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
20th Century Club Chairs
Lambskin
Late 20th Century Finnish Space Age Lounge Chairs
Metal
Late 20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Finnish Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
1990s Dutch Modern Chairs
Acrylic
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
20th Century Finnish Swivel Chairs
Fiberglass, Textile
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Vintage 1980s Finnish Space Age Lounge Chairs
Metal
Antique 1880s Finnish Space Age Lounge Chairs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s Finnish Chairs
Vintage 1960s Finnish Space Age Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
Original Ball Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Original Ball Chair?
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 the Ball Chair made of?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The iconic Ball Chair is made of fiberglass, creating that rounded shape. The interior of a Ball Chair is upholstered in fine fabrics. Originally designed by Finnish furniture designer Eero Aarnio in 1963, this rounded chair is considered a classic display of industrial design. Shop a collection of Ball Chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024The significance of the Ball chair is that it became an instant commercial success, and its groundbreaking form shook up the modern design world. After its debut at the 1966 International Furniture Fair in Cologne, buyers from 30 countries placed orders for their homes. Celebrities like Sammy Davis Jr. and Grace Kelly were among the early purchasers, as were royal figures like the Shah of Iran. Today, Eero Aarnio Originals makes the Ball chair, and it's featured in movies, magazines and museums all over the planet, even as it appears to have arrived from another solar system. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Eero Aarnio Ball chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The slipper chair originated in 18th century Europe. It was used in women’s bedrooms as seating for when maids would assist them in putting on their slippers. Today, a slipper chair refers to a low-slung chair. Browse a selection of modern and antique slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022In 1949, Hans Wegner made the original Wishbone chair, a bentwood piece with a curved rail and Y-back. Today, Carl Hansen & Søn manufactures the chair based on Wegner's original design. You can find a variety of Hans Wegner chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The original Eames chair and matching ottoman were designed by Charles and Ray Aemes for the Herman Miller furniture company in 1956. The Eames chair is considered the epitome of modern interior design and is widely coveted by home decor enthusiasts. Browse a range of authenticated Eames chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The original Barcelona chair designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe featured ivory upholstery made of pigskin leather. Modern incarnations come in a wide range of upholstery colors and are available from Knoll Furniture. You'll find a variety of Barcelona chairs 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 14, 2024One way to spot an original Wassily chair is to look at the tubular steel frame. There will be no weld in the corners. The frame of an authentic Wassily chair is a single continuous piece of chromed tubular steel, with no cap on the end. Each original Wassily chair should feel lightweight but robust. It's a well-made chair and will feel like one. The material used for the seat and backrest, which was initially durable canvas — Knoll's Wassily chairs are available with leather slings — should feel equally substantial even if it's a vintage model. Lastly, the price of a real Wassily chair will also reflect the fact that this is a collectible design.
Inspired by bicycle handlebars, the Wassily lounge chair is one of Marcel Breuer's (1902–81) greatest achievements. Even though the tubular metal chair looked like an artifact from the future when the Hungarian-American designer and architect conceived it in 1925, Breuer could not have foreseen the significant impact that this would have on modern design.
Find original Wassily chairs for sale on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To identify an original Wishbone chair, first look at the backrest. Originals feature bentwood frames, so the backrest will be a single piece of wood. Most later reproductions are composed of two or three pieces of wood and will display noticeable seams. Next, look at the seat. Authentic originals will have perfect 90-degree angles at all four corners and many lines in the center with a tight weave. Imperfect corners, a few central lines and loose weaving are all signs of a reproduction. Finally, measure the distance between the bottom of the Y on the backrest and the seat. On originals, the distance is 10 millimeters. Any variations will usually indicate that a chair is a reproduction. When in doubt, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Shop a variety of Hans J. Wegner Wishbone chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023The original Eames chair was made out of molded plywood and leather. Charles and Ray Eames designed the iconic mid-century modern chair for Herman Miller in 1958. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Eames chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024Whether or not Eero Aarnio Ball chairs are comfortable or not is largely a matter of personal opinion. When the chair debuted in 1966, the New York Times reporter who saw it at the International Furniture Fair in Cologne suggested that the seating on display was "designed more for laughs than for comfort." However, the distinctive chair brought Aarnio instant commercial success. Today, many people still find the inviting foam-filled fabric seat inside its molded-fiberglass orb to be as comfortable to sit on as it is pleasing to the eye. Shop an assortment of vintage Eero Aarnio Ball chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022There are a number of ways that you can tell an original Marcel Breuer chair. One trick is to examine the frame. If you see end caps, you're likely looking at a replica. Authentic Breuer chairs featured polished, welded ends. Some chairs also feature stickers that identify the model name located under their seats. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted Marcel Breuer chairs.
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Which chair is best for a George Nakashima Origins for Widdicomb desk is largely a matter of preference. George Nakashima chairs with Shaker-inspired spindle backs like the Mira and Conoid tend to complement the lines of the desks in the collection. However, you can mix and match styles to create an eclectic look. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of George Nakashima desks and chairs.
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