Rattan Iron Bench
Vintage 1950s French Benches
Iron
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Iron
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Metal, Steel, Iron
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2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
2010s Table Lamps
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Metal, Brass
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood
1990s French Modern Armchairs
Bronze
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile, Wood
2010s Swedish Side Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Belgian Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Wood
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Wicker, Rattan
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Iron
Vintage 1970s Italian Benches
Wicker
Late 20th Century British Colonial Benches
Cane, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Mid-20th Century German Bohemian Loveseats
Metal
Antique Early 1900s European Settees
Iron
Vintage 1950s Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Iron
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 ExpertMarch 31, 2023Cast iron is often used for benches because of its characteristics. Its strength makes it well-suited to support the weight of two or more adults, and its hardness allows it to resist damage due to weather exposure. Shop a range of cast iron benches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The weight of a cast iron bench depends mainly on the size of the bench and whether other materials, such as wood are used in it. Cast iron weighs 0.26 pounds per cubic inch, making it quite a heavy material, and ideal for outdoor furniture that you want to ensure can weather heavy winds and precipitation. Shop an array of cast iron benches on 1stDibs.
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