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Porters Balloon Chairs

Vintage Hollywood Regency Pink Hooded Dome Porter Canopy Balloon Chair
Vintage Hollywood Regency Pink Hooded Dome Porter Canopy Balloon Chair

Vintage Hollywood Regency Pink Hooded Dome Porter Canopy Balloon Chair

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Hollywood Regency Pink Hooded Dome Porter Canopy Balloon Chair. Circa Mid 20th Century

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

French Giltwood Carved Balloon Porter’s Chair, Louis XVI Period, Circa 1790
French Giltwood Carved Balloon Porter’s Chair, Louis XVI Period, Circa 1790

French Giltwood Carved Balloon Porter’s Chair, Louis XVI Period, Circa 1790

Located in London, GB

A rare Louis XVI period gilded porter's chair, possibly water-gilded to a very high standard. The

Category

Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Beech, Giltwood

French Louis XV Style Carved Balloon Porters Chair, 19th Century
French Louis XV Style Carved Balloon Porters Chair, 19th Century

French Louis XV Style Carved Balloon Porters Chair, 19th Century

Located in South Salem, NY

This exquisite 19th-century Louis XV style carved balloon porter's chair is a testament to the

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Wingback Chairs

Materials

Wood

Rattan and Bamboo Porter's Chair
Rattan and Bamboo Porter's Chair

Rattan and Bamboo Porter's Chair

$3,700

H 68 in W 22 in D 31 in

Rattan and Bamboo Porter's Chair

Located in East Hampton, NY

Rattan and bamboo porter's chair with balloon style hood.

Category

Mid-20th Century Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Recent Sales

Antique French Canopy Porters Balloon Chair
Antique French Canopy Porters Balloon Chair

Antique French Canopy Porters Balloon Chair

Sold

H 30 in W 32.5 in L 30 in

Antique French Canopy Porters Balloon Chair

Located in West Hartford, CT

Antique French canopy porters chair with velvet interior and burlap fabric on exterior.

Category

Vintage 1920s French Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Rare Midcentury Salterini Style Balloon Back Porters Garden Chair
Rare Midcentury Salterini Style Balloon Back Porters Garden Chair

Rare Midcentury Salterini Style Balloon Back Porters Garden Chair

By John Salterini

Located in Lambertville, NJ

Wonderful high style and uncommon midcentury hooded iron garden chair. Flat black paint. The

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Wrought Iron

French Country Louis XV Style Double Cane Canopy Porter Chair
French Country Louis XV Style Double Cane Canopy Porter Chair

French Country Louis XV Style Double Cane Canopy Porter Chair

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A mid century Louis XV style porter chair. Balloon canopy silhouette with double cane paneling

Category

Mid-20th Century Louis XV Chairs

Materials

Suede, Cane

Pair French Provincial Style Cerused Oak Hooded Porters Chairs
Pair French Provincial Style Cerused Oak Hooded Porters Chairs

Pair French Provincial Style Cerused Oak Hooded Porters Chairs

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Fantastic pair of country French provincial hooded porters chairs or balloon chairs crafted from

Category

20th Century French Provincial Wingback Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Provincial Style Painted Porters Canopy Chairs
Pair of French Provincial Style Painted Porters Canopy Chairs

Pair of French Provincial Style Painted Porters Canopy Chairs

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Gorgeous pair of French balloon chairs or porters canopy wing chairs featuring linen upholstery

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Provincial Wingback Chairs

Materials

Brass

Iconic Ralph Lauren Home Tall Chair, Carved Bergere Balloon Lounge Armchair
Iconic Ralph Lauren Home Tall Chair, Carved Bergere Balloon Lounge Armchair

Iconic Ralph Lauren Home Tall Chair, Carved Bergere Balloon Lounge Armchair

By E.J. Victor, Ralph Lauren

Located in Lambertville, NJ

contrasting embossed black leather snakeskin. This dramatic balloon shaped porters chair has a beautifully

Category

Early 2000s Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Wood

French Balloon Back  Porter arm chair
French Balloon Back  Porter arm chair

French Balloon Back Porter arm chair

Sold

H 60 in W 30 in D 30 in

French Balloon Back Porter arm chair

Located in Cathedral City, CA

French Balloon Back Porter chair

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Armchairs

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1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors
1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors

1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors

$14,350 / item

H 33.08 in W 115.36 in D 61.82 in

1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors

Located in NEW YORK, NY

The Sofa inspires itself nature where green is the predominant element and where valleys and hills prevail. The item’s details allow it to be the perfect statement piece for any cont...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward

Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward

$229,142Sale Price|33% Off

H 51.19 in W 55.12 in D 201.58 in

Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward

By Henry Ward

Located in Amsterdam, NL

England, third quarter of the 19th century On two scrolling foliate feet with casters, above which a rectangular two-side glazed frame, with on top a two-sided shield with initial...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy

Materials

Other

Murano Hand Blown Chartreuse Green Glass Chandelier, in stock
Murano Hand Blown Chartreuse Green Glass Chandelier, in stock

Murano Hand Blown Chartreuse Green Glass Chandelier, in stock

Located in Miami, FL

Murano hand blown studio glass chandelier, in stock All different shaped chartreuse green discs with white details, rigadin technique Brass plated structure with 24 exposed brass reg...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...

Materials

Brass

Letto a baldacchino. Italia, inizi del XIX sec
Letto a baldacchino. Italia, inizi del XIX sec

Letto a baldacchino. Italia, inizi del XIX sec

$14,665Sale Price|20% Off

H 88.59 in W 55.52 in D 80.71 in

Letto a baldacchino. Italia, inizi del XIX sec

By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting

Located in Milano, IT

Letto a baldacchino in ferro battuto con pediera e testiera in legno sagomato per poter essere rivestita di tappezzeria. I montanti in ferro battuto come i piedi presentano delle ins...

Category

Antique Early 1800s Italian Other Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wrought Iron

Tapestry   Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, Louis XVI period 1738 at the Gobelins
Tapestry   Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, Louis XVI period 1738 at the Gobelins

Tapestry Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, Louis XVI period 1738 at the Gobelins

By Aubusson Manufacture

Located in Madrid, ES

Tapestry from the Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, Louis XVI period , made in 1738 at the Gobelins One panel from a series of Gobelins tapestries depicting the Hi...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century French Baroque Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Silk

Renaissance Style Antique Walnut Trumeau Fireplace Mantel
Renaissance Style Antique Walnut Trumeau Fireplace Mantel

Renaissance Style Antique Walnut Trumeau Fireplace Mantel

$62,300

H 114.57 in W 62.6 in D 22.05 in

Renaissance Style Antique Walnut Trumeau Fireplace Mantel

Located in London, GB

A tall and boldly carved, columned walnut trumeau fireplace in the Renaissance style. The upper frieze, with a central cartouche flanked by floral scrolls, is set above the main frie...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Fireplaces and Mantels

Materials

Walnut

20th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Style Four-Poster Bed
20th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Style Four-Poster Bed

20th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Style Four-Poster Bed

$2,350Sale Price|20% Off

H 78.75 in W 59.06 in D 74.81 in

20th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Style Four-Poster Bed

Located in LEGNY, FR

Beautiful and rare 20th century French walnut between Louis XV and Louis XVI style four poster bed. The bed is upholstered with pink silk fabric but we think it needs to be changed. ...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Silk, Walnut

Four Louis XV Style Gilt-Wood Chinoiserie Bergères, Jansen Attr., 1890
Four Louis XV Style Gilt-Wood Chinoiserie Bergères, Jansen Attr., 1890

Four Louis XV Style Gilt-Wood Chinoiserie Bergères, Jansen Attr., 1890

By Maison Jansen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Fine and Rare Assembled Set of Four French Louis XV Style Gilt-Wood Carved and Japanned-Chinoiserie Lacquer Decorated Bergers Armchairs, attributed to Maison Jansen (House of Janse...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Chinoiserie Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Giltwood, Lacquer

French Style Wrought Iron Greenhouse with Door and Windows in White Color
French Style Wrought Iron Greenhouse with Door and Windows in White Color

French Style Wrought Iron Greenhouse with Door and Windows in White Color

Located in Marbella, ES

French style wrought iron greenhouse with doors and windows that open outwards. Ready for glass panels to be installed.

Category

2010s French Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique Chinese Carved Canopy Bed with Alcove
Antique Chinese Carved Canopy Bed with Alcove

Antique Chinese Carved Canopy Bed with Alcove

$12,500

H 80 in W 81 in D 92 in

Antique Chinese Carved Canopy Bed with Alcove

Located in Buffalo, NY

Mid to late 19th century, elaborately carved, antique Chinese bed Chambers was used to greet visitors and usually was furnished with two chairs and a center table: from which tea, wi...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Neo-Gothic Walnut Armchair, 19th Century
Neo-Gothic Walnut Armchair, 19th Century

Neo-Gothic Walnut Armchair, 19th Century

$3,619Sale Price|30% Off

H 49.61 in W 24.81 in D 19.69 in

Neo-Gothic Walnut Armchair, 19th Century

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Neo-Gothic walnut armchair, 19th century Large neo-Gothic walnut armchair, 19th century, cathedral seat. H: 126 cm, W: 63 cm, D: 50 cm

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Gothic Revival Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Pair of French Louis XVI Style Carved-Wood Cream-Lacquered Settees, Jansen Attr.
Pair of French Louis XVI Style Carved-Wood Cream-Lacquered Settees, Jansen Attr.

Pair of French Louis XVI Style Carved-Wood Cream-Lacquered Settees, Jansen Attr.

By Maison Jansen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Fine Pair of French Louis XVI Style Carved-wood Cream-Lacquered Settees, probably by Maison Jansen. The rectangular shaped Love Seats, each with scrolled carved armrests ending wit...

Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Settees

Materials

Fabric, Satin, Silk, Wood

Rare Antique Victorian Walnut Tufted Serpentine Parlor Corner Sofa Settee Couch
Rare Antique Victorian Walnut Tufted Serpentine Parlor Corner Sofa Settee Couch

Rare Antique Victorian Walnut Tufted Serpentine Parlor Corner Sofa Settee Couch

Located in Dayton, OH

Monumental Victorian corner parlor sofa featuring serpentine walnut frame with S scroll carved and padded arms. Features queen anne legs and tufted upholstery. Circa 1870s 102" W ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed
19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed

19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed

$16,451Sale Price|50% Off

H 102.37 in W 99.61 in D 72.84 in

19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed

Located in Marbella, ES

This is a wonderful example of a canopy bed from Shanghai Province, China. Made of Chinese Northern Elm, this bed features hoofed feet and multiple floral carvings. The exterior ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pink Sputnik Chandelier by Studio Glustin
Pink Sputnik Chandelier by Studio Glustin

Pink Sputnik Chandelier by Studio Glustin

$10,223 / item

H 39.38 in Dm 31.5 in

Pink Sputnik Chandelier by Studio Glustin

By Glustin Creation

Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR

Elegant rose Sputnik chandelier in brass and Murano glass globes. Creation by Studio Glustin.  

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...

Materials

Brass

20th Century Pair of Italian Triton Garden Statues - Antique Marble Sculptures
20th Century Pair of Italian Triton Garden Statues - Antique Marble Sculptures

20th Century Pair of Italian Triton Garden Statues - Antique Marble Sculptures

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Circa 20th Century, a pair of large antique garden statues hand carved in natural stone named Biancone d’Istria Marble. These antique natural stone statues or garden ornaments were p...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Statues

Materials

Marble

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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.

Questions About Porters Balloon Chairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
    A porter's chair is called that due to its history. Early examples of porter's chairs date back to medieval England and France. At that time, households positioned the chairs near the front doors of homes to give the hall porters a place to sit while they waited to receive guests. Although hall porters are less commonly employed in homes today, the upholstered chairs with their curved, deep backs continue to bear the name. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A balloon back chair is a specific type of seat that became popular during the Victorian era. It features a curved back that tapers as it travels down to the seat. Many balloon back chairs are armless, and nearly all examples feature upholstered seats. You'll find a range of balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    Balloon back chairs are from the Victorian era, which lasted from the late 1830s to the turn of the 20th century. These chairs get their name from their rounded backrests and narrow waists, which make it seem like their tops have ballooned or grown in size. On 1stDibs, shop a range of balloon back chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Balloon back chairs were made mostly in the Victorian era, as they were highly popular at this time in the 19th century. It is generally regarded as a classic antique dining room chair. Browse an array of authentic antique balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.