Parish Hadley Chair
Late 20th Century American Armchairs
Linen, Wood
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 1880s English Victorian Armchairs
Walnut, Leather
Vintage 1960s American Louis XV Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Georgian Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Armchairs
Fabric
Vintage 1980s Italian Armchairs
Chenille, Wood
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Naugahyde, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Space Age Armchairs
Fabric
Antique 19th Century Club Chairs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Armchairs
Leather
Late 20th Century Hungarian Armchairs
Beech
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Wood
Recent Sales
20th Century American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s Dining Room Chairs
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Chaise Longues
Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Chairs
1990s Fauvist Landscape Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Down, Cotton
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Beech
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Table Lamps
Glass
20th Century American Sofas
Vintage 1940s Unknown Chairs
Wood, Leather
20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Leather
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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