Primitive Arm Chair
Antique 19th Century Federal Windsor Chairs
Hardwood, Paint
Antique Early 1900s Primitive Chairs
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Twig, Cherry, Bentwood
Antique Late 19th Century American Country Chairs
Antique 19th Century Windsor Chairs
Ash
Mid-20th Century American Primitive Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1940s Primitive Chairs
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Bamboo
Vintage 1940s Primitive Chairs
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s Primitive Chairs
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1930s Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Rattan, Hardwood
Antique Early 19th Century Primitive Armchairs
Chestnut, Oak
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Primitive Children's Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Antique 19th Century Primitive Children's Furniture
Oak
Vintage 1920s Louis XVI Chairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century English Armchairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century English Primitive Armchairs
Elm
Antique Mid-19th Century American Children's Furniture
Leather, Wood, Paint
Antique Late 17th Century Italian Primitive Dining Room Tables
Iron
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
People Also Browsed
Mid-20th Century French Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Ceramic, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Country Dining Room Tables
Fruitwood
Vintage 1910s French Trunks and Luggage
Brass
Antique 1850s Dining Room Tables
Cherry
Mid-20th Century French Rustic Dining Room Tables
Oak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Ceramic, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Dining Room Tables
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century Norwegian Trunks and Luggage
Iron
20th Century American Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Blanket Chests
Steel
20th Century American American Colonial Beds and Bed Frames
Cherry
Mid-20th Century Belgian Rustic Dining Room Tables
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Ceramic, Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Chrome
Late 20th Century American Shaker Dining Room Tables
Pine, Lacquer
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Windsor Chairs
Early 20th Century American Armchairs
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Wingback Chairs
Wood, Burlap
Antique 18th Century Welsh Primitive Windsor Chairs
Ash, Pine
Antique 19th Century Irish Windsor Chairs
Ash, Sycamore
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
20th Century Lounge Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century British Folk Art Windsor Chairs
Elm
Early 20th Century French Lounge Chairs
Suede
Antique Late 18th Century English Country Windsor Chairs
Ash, Elm
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century British Country Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1920s American Primitive Armchairs
Willow
Vintage 1950s American Primitive Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 1760s English George II Armchairs
Oak
Vintage 1970s American Primitive Armchairs
Mid-20th Century English Primitive Armchairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American American Craftsman Children's Fur...
Vintage 1980s American Primitive Windsor Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Primitive Windsor Chairs
Vintage 1930s American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Rattan, Hickory
Late 20th Century Primitive Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Primitive Corner Chairs
Rush, Maple
Antique Early 18th Century Welsh Folk Art Chairs
Oak, Ash
Antique Early 18th Century Welsh Folk Art Chairs
Ash, Elm
Early 20th Century American Primitive Dining Room Chairs
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Oak, Pine
Late 20th Century American Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Antique 1890s Swedish Primitive Armchairs
Wood
20th Century Unknown Primitive Armchairs
Teak
Antique Late 17th Century Italian Primitive Dining Room Tables
Iron
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Windsor Chairs
Antique Late 18th Century English Country Windsor Chairs
Elm, Ash
Antique Late 18th Century English Country Windsor Chairs
Ash, Elm
Antique Late 18th Century English Country Windsor Chairs
Ash, Elm, Fruitwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Welsh Windsor Chairs
Antique 1780s English George III Windsor Chairs
Iron
Antique 19th Century Unknown Armchairs
Antique 1820s British Country Armchairs
Ash, Elm
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century English Windsor Chairs
Beech
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Great Britain (UK) Folk Art Windsor Chairs
Antique Late 18th Century English Painted Furniture
Antique Mid-19th Century Welsh Armchairs
Ash
Antique 19th Century American Benches
Ash
Antique 19th Century American Benches
Ash
Antique Late 18th Century English Country Windsor Chairs
Ash, Elm
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Welsh George III Armchairs
Ash, Elm
Early 20th Century French Chairs
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Armchairs
Wood
Primitive Arm Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Primitive Arm Chair?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Chairs with arms are called armchairs, and there are many styles of them. Examples include club, wingback and roll arm chairs. Find a collection of armchairs on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A chair with arms is an armchair.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023There is no difference between a club chair and an armchair; a club chair is a type of armchair. An armchair is any chair with arms, while a club chair is a wide, comfortable type of armchair that is typically clad in leather and features thick upholstery. All club chairs are armchairs, but not all armchairs are club chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of club chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023An accent chair with no arms is typically called a slipper chair. These upholstered chairs originated in Europe during the 18th century and often served as seating in bedrooms. Today, people place slipper chairs in seating areas as well as bedrooms. Find a variety of slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dining chair with arms is called a carver chair or elbow chair. It is a traditional dining chair with arms added to it for a more structured look and is a popular option for dining seats for a spot to comfortably rest your arms. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Dining room chairs with arms require more space than armless ones.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dining room chairs with arms are simply called armchairs. They are not to be confused with armchairs used in seating areas. A dining chair without arms is a side chair. You'll find a collection of antique and vintage dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Dining chairs without arms are called side chairs. Their counterpart, the armchair, is often found at the head of the table, with the side chairs filling in the seats along the side of the table. Shop a collection of side chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
Read More
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