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Mel Smilow Rail Back Lounge Chair
By Mel Smilow
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
An original production WAC rail back lounge chair by Mel Smilow in natural finish solid walnut with
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Mel Smilow Mid-Century Walnut Rail Back Sofa
By Mel Smilow
Located in Countryside, IL
Mel Smilow mid century walnut rail back sofa.
This sofa measures: 83 wide x 31 deep x 29 inches
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Victorian Oak & Leather Rail Back Revolving Desk Chair With Stud Detailing
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Victorian Oak & Leather Rail Back Revolving Desk Chair With Stud Detailing
With a dark Olive
Category
Antique 19th Century British Late Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 34.26 in W 21.86 in D 18.51 in
Victorian Oak & Leather Rail Back Revolving Desk Chair With Stud Detailing
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Victorian Oak & Leather Rail Back Revolving Desk Chair With Stud Detailing
With a dark Olive
Category
Antique 19th Century British Late Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
H 34.26 in W 21.86 in D 18.51 in
Mid-Century Modern Polished Chrome Rail Back Lounge/ Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
designer Milo Baughman in the United States circa 1970. It features a rail back design consisting of a
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Walnut Rail Back Armchair with Leather and Linen Cushions by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Rail back lounge chair in walnut with leather and linen cushioning.
The rail back lounge chair is
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Linen, Walnut
Early 20th Century Hillcrest Oak Rail Back Leather Revolving Desk Chair
By Hillcrest
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Early 20th Century Hillcrest Oak Rail Revolving Desk Chair With Polished Brown Leather Seat
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Brass, Iron
H 34.26 in W 22.05 in D 18.51 in
Petite Oak Arm Chair with Turned Stretcher, England, 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Primitive 18th century (or earlier) English armchair in oak with rail back and turned stretcher.
Category
Antique 18th Century English Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Pair of Hardwood Chinese Benches, Early 20th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of hardwood Chinese benches with a railed back centered by a carved roundel, the rectangular
Category
Antique Early 1900s Benches
Materials
Hardwood
Heavily Carved Figural Campaign Chair, Lions, Cherubs, Dragons, circa 1890
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Heavily carved Campaign chair with lion heads and figural carvings on arms and back rail. Back rail
Category
Antique 1890s European Neoclassical Revival Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Set of 4 Beech and Elm Seated Stick Back Kitchen Dining Chairs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
design and traditionally made from solid wood they have a curved top rail back in the traditional style
Category
Antique Early 1900s Country Windsor Chairs
Materials
Elm
Rare Early 19th C. Camargue Salt Bench
Located in Greenwich, CT
An oak bench with notched rail-back over sliding front door. Solid back and sides with notching
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Benches
Materials
Oak
Pair of Early 19th Century Side Chairs Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
curved back with pierced fluted rail backs above leather stuff-over seats and brass close nail decorated
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Side Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
H 33.86 in W 20.08 in D 20.08 in
Vintage Italian Distressed Creamy Yellow Painted Rush Seat Armchairs - Pair
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of armchairs in the Italian style, unbranded. Painted hardwood with carved crest rail & back
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Country Armchairs
Materials
Rush, Paint, Wood
Late 20th Century Solid Mahogany Straight Leg Chippendale Armchair
Located in Charlotte, NC
A vintage Chippendale style armchair, unbranded. Solid mahogany with carved crest rail, back splat
Category
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Farmhouse Style Green Painted Armchair with Distressed Finish
Located in Charlotte, NC
crest rail & back splats, curved arms, fabric upholstered seat, straight legs and stretchers. Likely
Category
Late 20th Century American Country Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Carved Chippendale Dining Side Chairs - Pair
Located in Charlotte, NC
Hickory Chair. Solid hardwood with a slightly distressed light stain finish, carved crest rail, back splat
Category
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of mahogany Chinese style chairs, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
on the top and exceeds a little bit above the top rail. Back splat engraved with a stylized Chinese
Category
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Export Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
1950's French Baumann Wavy Back Bentwood Dining Chairs - Set Of Four
Located in Hook, Hampshire
, beautifully made and designed. This is an unusual elegant model with a double rail back and a slight hint of a
Category
Vintage 1950s French Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
H 32.29 in W 15.36 in D 15.36 in
CRAFTIQUE Mahogany Chippendale Style Straight Leg Dining Side Chairs - Pair C
Located in Charlotte, NC
mahogany with their English Mahogany finish, decoratively carved crest rail, back rest, fluted stiles, and
Category
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 39.5 in W 21.5 in D 24 in
8 Danish Mid Century Arne Hovmand Olsen Teak and Fabric Dining Chairs
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Highclere, Newbury
A set of eight mid century dark stained teak and fabric rail back dining chairs designed by Arne
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Teak
H 38.59 in W 18.9 in D 19.69 in
19th Century French Empire Cherry Wood Desk Barrel Armchair with Gilt Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
bombe apron decorated with a brass laurel leaf motif mount. The rounded rail back over shaped slat, is
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Bronze
H 27.5 in W 33.5 in D 18.75 in
Maitland Smith Chippendale Regency Carved Mahogany Dining Side Chairs
By Maitland Smith
Located in Lambertville, NJ
detailing on crest rail, back splat and the beading on straight legs and stretchers. This is a perfect set
Category
2010s Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
The Shaker Ladder Slat Straight Back Arm Chair with Shawl Rail
Located in Germantown, MD
curved back slats and overall proportions make them excellent for both residential and commercial
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Armchairs
Materials
Cherry, Maple
Pair of Chinese Elm Stools with Hump Back Rail, 1780-1820
Located in Kenilworth, IL
. The turned legs are joined by mortice & tenon hump back rails with elements that wrap around the
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
The Shaker Ladder Slat Straight Back Side Chair With Shawl Rail
Located in Germantown, MD
time and found to be successful.
Local North Eastern Artisans make the Slat Back Shaker Side Chair in
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Cherry, Maple
Antique Oak Marble Top Server with Mirrored Back Splash & Spindled Rail C1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
***
Antique Oak Marble Top Server with Mirrored Back Splash, Carved Crest & Spindled Rail Raised on Turned
Category
Early 20th Century Serving Tables
Materials
Marble
H 64 in W 49.5 in D 22 in
Mid-century Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik Danish Dining Chairs
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Contact us for more shipping quotes: S16 Home San Francisco.
A set of six mid-century rail
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Teak, Papercord
H 38.75 in W 18 in D 19 in
Antique Arts & Crafts Mission Oak Ladder Back Hip Rail Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Arts & Crafts mission oak ladder back hip rail rocking chair. Cane seat, ladder back
Category
20th Century American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Materials
Cane, Oak
H 33 in W 18.5 in D 23 in
Antique Silk-Upholstered Beechwood Armchair by Linke
By François Linke
Located in London, GB
the late 19th and early 20th century, François Linke. The back of the chair is signed ‘F. Linke A
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Chairs
Materials
Silk, Beech
Cerused Oak Three Panel Bar with Brass Foot Rail
Located in Locust Valley, NY
. The bar front features a round brass foot rail The back is open for storage with three drawers at top
Category
Early 20th Century Dry Bars
Materials
Brass
Stainless Steel Bar Height Dining Table with Attached Seats
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
model in raw walnut with a foot-rail. Seat arms are cast from ductile iron and are stress tested to over
Category
2010s American Industrial Dining Room Sets
Materials
Steel, Iron
Swing-Out Seat Outdoor Cafe Table Set
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
The Get Back, Inc. outdoor industrial dining table.
Taking our swing-out seats a step beyond their
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Iron, Metal, Steel
Cafe / Counter Table with Attached Swing Out Seats, Built to Spec
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
a 12 foot length with six seats, three pedestals and foot rail. A great solution for adding
Category
2010s American Industrial Pedestals
Materials
Iron, Steel
Custom Counter Bar / Pub Table with Attached Swing Out Seats, Built to Spec
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
foot length with six seats, three pedestals and foot rail. A great solution for adding additional
Category
2010s American Industrial Tables
Materials
Iron, Steel
Original Vintage Train Travel Poster Rochester Cathedral British Rail Lander
By Reginald Lander
Located in London, GB
dark pink background, the title above with the rest of the text and British Rail logo below - Awayday
Category
Vintage 1970s British Posters
Materials
Paper
H 39.77 in W 24.81 in D 0.04 in
"Elevated Rail" 40"x60" New York Subway Reefing Photograph
By Stephen Mallon
Located in New York, NY
back to the heroic industrial landscapes of Margaret Bourke-White and Charles Sheeler, who glorified
Category
2010s Contemporary Landscape Photography
Materials
C Print
"Elevated Rail" 20"x30" New York Subway Reefing Photograph
By Stephen Mallon
Located in New York, NY
back to the heroic industrial landscapes of Margaret Bourke-White and Charles Sheeler, who glorified
Category
2010s Contemporary Landscape Photography
Materials
C Print
Original Vintage Rail Travel Poster Inverness Scotland British Railways Highland
Located in London, GB
Original vintage rail travel poster for Inverness The Capital Of The Scottish Highlands See Britain
Category
Vintage 1950s British Posters
Materials
Paper
H 40.16 in W 49.61 in D 0.04 in
French Beaux-Arts Wood and White Enamel Coat and Hat Rail
Located in Philadelphia, PA
fittings.
The arms are held in place to the rail with a strip of metal screwed to the wood back plate
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Beaux Arts Coat Racks and Stands
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Stunning Faux Book Hardwood & Brown Leather Kidney Desk with Gallery Rail
By Theodore Alexander
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this absolutely stunning faux book back and sides Kidney desk with brown
Category
20th Century English Regency Desks
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
H 31.89 in W 55.52 in D 29.73 in
Original Vintage Travel Poster Visit London See Britain By Rail British Railways
Located in London, GB
Original vintage British Railways travel poster - Visit London See Britain by Rail - featuring
Category
Vintage 1950s British Posters
Materials
Paper
H 40.16 in W 25.2 in D 0.04 in
Gillow's of Lancaster Regency Military Campaign Kidney Desk Brass Gallery Rail
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Waring & Gillow
Located in GB
1815 Military Campaign Kidney desk with brass gallery rail and removable barley twist legs
An
Category
Antique 19th Century English High Victorian Desks
Materials
Brass
H 27.76 in W 44.3 in D 27.17 in
Exquisite Quality Victorian 1860 Hardwood & Leather Dining Chairs After Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
don’t want to remove the bases to have a look inside. These chairs have the very rare hand rail backs so
Category
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
H 36.03 in W 20.48 in D 24.61 in
Original Vintage Rail Travel Poster Johannesburg The Metropolis Of South Africa
Located in London, GB
, backed on linen.
Category
Vintage 1930s South African Art Deco Posters
Materials
Paper
H 39.77 in W 24.41 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage British Rail Poster Night Freight Train Condor London Glasgow
Located in London, GB
margins, restored folds on image, creasing, backed on linen.
Category
Vintage 1960s British Posters
Materials
Paper
H 40.16 in W 49.61 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Poster Lake Bled Island Yugoslavia Rail Travel Putnik Beograd
Located in London, GB
, browning, staining, foxing, restored paper loss in margin, large restored tears on bottom edge, backed on
Category
Vintage 1930s Macedonian Posters
Materials
Paper
H 37.41 in W 24.02 in D 0.04 in
Vintage Dutch Colonial Armchair with Pierced Wooden Slats and Bonnet-Style Rail
Located in Yonkers, NY
Dutch Colonial chairs features a slightly slanted back, topped with a bonnet-type rail and adorned with
Category
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Armchairs
Materials
Wood
H 40 in W 20 in D 19 in
Original Vintage Rail Travel Poster Jaarbeurs Utrecht Fair De Inktpot Inkwell
Located in London, GB
paper loss, staining, backed on linen.
Category
Vintage 1920s Dutch Art Deco Posters
Materials
Paper
H 39.57 in W 24.81 in D 0.04 in
Walnut Armchair with Turned Rail & Legs and Scroll Arms, France, circa 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
turned back rail and legs (front).
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
H 36 in W 23.25 in D 26 in
Original Vintage Poster Ashtabula Harbor Lake Erie New York Central Lines Rail
Located in London, GB
Original vintage rail transport advertising poster - Ashtabula Harbor Lake Erie where trainloads of
Category
Vintage 1920s American Posters
Materials
Paper
H 40.95 in W 27.17 in D 0.04 in
FULLY RESTORED ViNTAGE FLAMED HARDWOOD SIDE END TABLE WITH GALLERY RAIL BORDER
Located in GB
England, vintage Flamed Mahogany side table with gallery rail boarder that has been fully restored by my
Category
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Side Tables
Materials
Hardwood
H 21.66 in W 18.71 in D 15.75 in
Fine Burr Walnut with Brass Gallery Rail Open Library Bookcase Etagere Whatnot
Located in GB
rail and original porcelain castors, open library bookcase Etagere
A very decorative and well made
Category
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Shelves
Materials
Brass
H 40.95 in W 45.28 in D 14.97 in
Awesome Hand Carved Oak Pegasus Winged Horse Sculpture Newel Post / Stair Rail
Located in Lisse, NL
will have cost a small fortune. When looking closely at the photos of the back one can clearly see
Category
Mid-20th Century European Greek Revival Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
Free Shipping
H 44.1 in W 16.5 in D 9.1 in
Original Vintage Rail Travel Poster The Algerian South Camel Art Algeria Africa
Located in London, GB
losses, foxing, staining, ink stamp in top right corner, backed on linen.
Category
Vintage 1930s Algerian Posters
Materials
Paper
H 35.44 in W 26.78 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Poster Verzend Per Spoor Express Goods By Rail Wine Den Haag
Located in London, GB
Original vintage poster - Send By Rail / Verzend Per Spoor - featuring an image by the Dutch artist
Category
Vintage 1940s Dutch Posters
Materials
Paper
H 42.52 in W 30.71 in D 0.04 in
Original Antique Travel Poster Le Lac Majeur Dijon Vallorbe Le Simplon PLM Rail
By Julien Lacaze
Located in London, GB
, backed on linen.
Category
Vintage 1920s French Posters
Materials
Paper
H 42.13 in W 30.32 in D 0.04 in
Rail Freight Station in Wales, England 1930 Silver Gelatin B and W Photography
By Wide World Photos
Located in Atlanta, GA
. high (11.8 cm) x 6.57 in. wide (16.7 cm) - Archivally matted in a 17 x 13 mat.
Ink Stamp at the back
Category
1930s Art Deco Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
H 4.65 in W 6.58 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Rail Travel Poster London Heart Of The Empire GWR Horse Guard
By Frank Newbould 1
Located in London, GB
tears, staining, browning, backed on linen.
Category
Vintage 1930s British Posters
Materials
Paper
H 39.77 in W 24.81 in D 0.04 in
Scottish Horseshoe Back Chair
Located in Houston, TX
is pine, legs and spindles are elm and the horseshoe back rail is yew wood. Originally created to
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Scottish Folk Art Chairs
Materials
Paint, Yew, Pine, Elm
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Rail Back For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the rail back you’re looking for. Each rail back for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, fabric and oak. Find 9 options for an antique or vintage rail back now, or shop our selection of 2 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the rail back you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A rail back made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Arts and Crafts — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made rail back over the years, but those crafted by Mel Smilow, Uultis Design and Smilow-Thielle are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a Rail Back?
The average selling price for a rail back at 1stDibs is $3,450, while they’re typically $850 on the low end and $12,500 for the highest priced.
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.
Read More
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This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.
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