Oxen Chair
Antique 19th Century Chinese Furniture
Wood, Elm, Rattan
1960s Naturalistic Animal Paintings
Oil
People Also Browsed
1980s Pop Art Figurative Prints
Offset, Lithograph
Antique 18th Century Chinese Chairs
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century South African Mid-Century Modern Photography
Paint, Paper
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Teak
2010s Realist Portrait Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Figurative Paintings
Burlap, Oil
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Elm
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 19th Century Pre-Raphaelite Landscape Paintings
Oil
Antique Late 19th Century American Chinese Export Antiquities
Hardwood, Rosewood
Antique Late 18th Century American Chippendale Card Tables and Tea Tables
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Leather
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art
Brass, Nickel
20th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs
Wood, Lacquer
Recent Sales
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Armchairs
Leather
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Furniture
Elm
Antique 19th Century Adirondack Stools
Wood, Bentwood
Antique 19th Century Chinese Side Chairs
Antique 1850s Chinese Qing Armchairs
Elm
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.
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