Pegasus Chair
Vintage 1960s Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1990s British Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Bronze
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Teak
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century British Chesterfield Lounge Chairs
Metal
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1980s English Regency Wingback Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Norwegian Modern Chairs
Leather
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21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Reclaimed Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Greek Stone Sinks
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Brass
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Art Glass
Mid-20th Century German Hollywood Regency Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass
Early 20th Century American Rustic Beds and Bed Frames
Hickory
21st Century and Contemporary French Post-Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
2010s American Organic Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Greek Stone Sinks
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Arts and Crafts Wall Brackets
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Porcelain
Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Renaissance Dining Room Tables
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Mantel Clocks
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Decorative Baskets
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Dining Room Tables
Walnut
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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The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.