Parlor Conversation Chair
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Benches
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Loveseats
Wicker
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Armchairs
Velvet, Mahogany
20th Century Italian Rococo Living Room Sets
Fabric, Wood
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
Travertine
Vintage 1960s English Dinner Plates
Gold
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Table Lamps
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century American Organic Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Cane, Wood
Antique Early 18th Century European Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass, Wire
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Mohair
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Musical Instruments
Wood, Giltwood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 1890s German Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Daybeds
Iron
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century French Floor Lamps
Crystal
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Living Room Sets
Wood
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Living Room Sets
Giltwood, Silk, Upholstery
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 parlor chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A parlor chair is a type of upholstered armchair that was popular during the Victorian age. It features a wood frame, a curved back with button tufting and a deep seat. On 1stDibs, find a selection of parlor chairs.
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