$1,401Sale Price|20% Off
Jens Risom Risom Lounge Chair for Knoll, Clear Maple & Flax Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Reading, Berkshire
The original design is particularly notable for its use of webbing, which formed part of Risom's response to wartime material restrictions.
Maple
2021 Jens Risom for Knoll Risom Side Dining Chair Ebonized Maple & Black Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single Risom dining chair in ebonized maple with black cotton webbing designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll.
Ash
Pair of Jens Risom Oak Chairs with Leather Webbing, France 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
These chairs match a set of eight Risom chairs we are also offering and are in the same restored condition.
Leather, Oak
Jens Risom 'Vostra' Lounge Chair in Canvas Webbing
By Walter Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, 'Vostra' chair, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s An elegant lounge chair featuring exquisite canvas webbing, this piec...
Brass
Jens Risom 'Vostra' Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Canvas Webbing
By Jens Risom, Walter Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, 'Vostra' chair with ottoman, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s An elegant lounge chair with ottoman featuring exquisite...
Brass
1950 Knoll Risom Side Chair in Maple with Black Webbing, Model 666C-WB
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Risom side chair, Model 666C-WB, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll in 1943.
Steel
2000s Jens Risom For Knoll Armless Lounge Chair in Maple with Purple Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Armless Lounge Chair, originally designed by Jens Risom for Knoll in 1943. This particular example was produced in the United States in the 2000s.
Maple, Fabric
Jens Risom Pair of 'Vostra' Lounge Chairs with Ottoman in Canvas Webbing
By Jens Risom, Walter Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, pair of 'Vostra' chairs with ottoman, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s An elegant lounge chair with ottoman featuring ...
Brass
C. 1941 Jens Risom for Knoll Associates Three-Seater Sofa/Settee w/ New Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a three-seater settee, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll Associates in 1941. The piece has a frame constructed of pine (or possibly birch), and has newly re-done webbed straps.
Copper
2021 Jens Risom for Knoll Counter Height Stool in Clear Maple with Black Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single 2021 production Risom counter height stool designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll. This example was acquired directly from a Knoll employee, who pur...
Birch, Maple
1940s Jens Risom For Knoll Associates 666 WSP Dining Chair with Webbing in Maple
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original Jens Risom for Knoll Associates 666 WSP dining chair, circa 1940s. The chair is in gorgeous original condition with some patina and wear shown to the s...
Maple
1946 Jen Risom 666 WSP Side Chairs Black Webbing for Knoll Associates Set of Six
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These pieces were constructed using a solid maple wooden frame and black webbing that is stain resistant. The chairs were acquired from a Wisconsin estate and were just freshly reuph...
Wood, Maple
Mid Century Modern Jens Risom Walnut Coffee Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Tulsa, OK
**Use of Natural Materials**: Risom frequently used high-quality, natural materials such as wood, leather, and woven webbing.
Walnut
Lounge Chair by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Morristown, NJ
Newly refinished webbed lounge chair in birch by Jens Risom. Webbing is a white vinyl. Signed Knoll International.
Birch, Fabric
Sold
H 29.93 in W 23.63 in D 27.56 in
Early Jens Risom Armchair by Knoll or Vostra with Original Webbing
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Early Jens Risom armchair by Vostra (German licensed and labeled) with off-white original webbing.
Birch, Cotton Canvas
Sold
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 23.63 in
Early Jens Risom Armchairs by Knoll / Vostra with New Leather Webbing
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Early Jens Risom armchair by Vostra (German licensed and labeled) with new high quality leather webbing.
Beech, Leather
Sold
H 29.53 in W 28.35 in D 19.69 in
Pair of Matched Jens Risom Lounge Chairs in Black Webbing for Knoll
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
A very nice matched pair of Jens Risom lounge chairs by Walter Knoll (Vostra), 1950s German production in excellent vintage condition.
Cotton, Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 23.63 in D 31.5 in
Set of Two Early Jens Risom Armchairs by Knoll with New Leather Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of two early Jens Risom armchairs by Knoll (labeled) with new high quality leather webbing.
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 23.63 in D 31.5 in
Set of Two Early Jens Risom Armchairs by Knoll with New Leather Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of two early Jens Risom armchairs by Knoll (labeled) with new high quality leather webbing.
Leather, Wood
Pair of Early Jens Risom 654W Lounge Chairs by Knoll with Leather Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent pair of Classic Jens Risom lounge chairs with new leather webbing. The leather will age darker quiet fast and will get a stunning cognac color and also a very personal pati...
Birch
Sold
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 28.35 in
Pair of Early Jens Risom 654W Lounge Chairs by Knoll with New Leather Webbing
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent pair of classic Jens Risom lounge chairs with new leather webbing. The leather will age darker quiet fast and will get a stunning cognac color and also a very personal pati...
Leather, Birch
Pair of Jens Risom Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A matched pair of solid maple lounge chairs by Jens Risom for Knoll with original webbing. These particular chairs are dated 1952.
Wood
Sold
H 30.25 in W 23.75 in
Armed Lounge Chair with Light Walnut Frame with Khaki Cotton Webbing, Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Tulsa, OK
These armed lounge chairs have a light walnut frame with Kahki colored 100% cotton webbing creating back and seat. Jens Risom's designs were the first pieces conceived for and man...
Cotton, Walnut
Set of Ten 666 W Side Chairs by Jens Risom for Knoll
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of ten side chairs by Jens Risom with new webbing and in solid birch. Signed!
Cotton, Birch
Sold
H 30.5 in W 23.5 in D 28 in
Iconic Jens Risom Lounge Chair for Knoll, Model 652-W, Mid-Century Modern
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This timeless piece features a solid walnut frame paired with Jens Risom’s signature woven cotton webbing, here in a rich green tone that provides both comfort and a striking visual ...
Cotton, Wood
Sold
H 17.75 in W 20 in D 14 in
Jens Risom Inspired Accent Stool with Black and Red Webbing and Wooden Frame
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small Jens Risom style stool with original red and black webbing.
Wood
Jens Risom Lounge Chair with Original Webbing for Knoll, circa 1950s
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Peabody, MA
Lounge chair Model 652 with original webbing by Jens Risom, early design for Knoll, circa 1950s.
Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 20.25 in D 25 in
Pair Jens Risom Armless Lounge Chairs. Maple with Red Webbing. Signed.
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of Jens Risom lounge chairs from his original 1941 design collection for Knoll. These are more recent production, signed with the Knoll Studio medallion. These have been used ...
Nylon, Maple
Sold
H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 27.56 in
Pair of Jens Risom Lounge Chairs in brown webbing for Knoll 1950s
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Jens Risom lounge chairs in brown webbing for Knoll. The seat is removable and adjustable from lounge to occasional chairs.
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 31.89 in W 16.54 in D 19.69 in
Rare Oak Jens Risom Set of Ten Webbed Knoll Chairs in Leather Webbing, France
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
This set of ten side chairs with new leather webbing in the exact leather as they produced these chairs in France in the 1950s. All chairs has been fully restored and reglued. A rare...
Leather, Oak
Pair of Stained Walnut Bar Stools with Original Leather Webbing
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These bar stools are reminiscent of the chairs Jens Risom designed for Knoll with the interwoven leather seat construction. They are nicely aged and both leather and walnut are in go...
Leather, Walnut
Set of Four Risom for KnollStudio Side Chairs, Ebony with Blue Webbing, 2010s
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
A four-piece set of early 2010s Jens Risom side chairs for KnollStudio in ebonized maple with blue webbing seats.
Nylon, Maple
Jens Risom Leather Lounge Chair
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Maastricht, NL
A lounge chair with a leather webbing by Jens Risom for Hans Knoll in 1943. Labeled by Knoll underneath.
Leather, Wood
Jens Risom Model 652 Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Jens Risom
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Jens Risom lounge chair Model 652 with original webbing by Jens Risom for Knoll, circa 1950s.
Upholstery, Birch
1940's Jens Risom Style Furniture Set With a Klaus Grabe Chaise
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Chicago, IL
chairs + side table attributed to Jens Risom. USA, c 1940s original webbing + wood lounge chaise 53” h x 24 ⅝” w x 62 ⅛” d x seat 20 ⅛” h rocking lounge chair 29” h x 20” w x 27 ...
Wood
Jens Risom settee
Located in New York, NY
1950s 2-seat Jens Risom settee with original brown webbing and finish
Jens Risom Lounge Chair for Knoll , 1941
Located in San Francisco, CA
Surprisingly comfortable and light arm chair designed by Jens Risom with webbing seat and back. Casual elegance in abundance with webbed version of Knoll's reissue of quintessential...
Pair of Jens Risom Lounge Chairs for Knoll with Black Webbing
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Pair of black strap weaved Jens Risom lounge chairs for Knoll. The chair was manufactured in the 1960s. The chair comes as a pair.
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 30.25 in W 20 in D 27.75 in
Pair of Jens Risom for KnollStudio Lounge Chairs, Maple with Maize Webbing, 2013
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of 2013 Jens Risom lounge chairs for KnollStudio in maple with maize webbing seats.
Maple, Cotton
Vintage Pair of Walnut and Leather Webbed Side Chairs
By Jens Risom
Located in Retie, BE
Set of two vintage dining chairs - side chairs in the style of Jens Risom & Mel Smilow. Black leather webbing chairs circa 1950 with walnut frame.
Leather, Walnut
Bruno Mathsson Danish Modern Bentwood Eva Lounge Chair
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Bentwood "Eva" Model Lounge Chair, designed by Bruno Mathsson, and signed underneath, Sweden, circa 1960s.
Upholstery, Beech
One Vintage Jens Risom for Knoll Lounge Chairs
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
One mid-century modern armless lounge chair designed by Jens Risom for Knoll originally in 1946. This early design has a hard maple frame with new linen upholstery.
Fabric, Maple
Jens Risom Model-654 Walnut & Woven Lounge Chair for Knoll Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Walnut, Original Cotton Webbing Designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll Studio, this Model 654LA lounge chair is a later produ...
Cotton, Walnut
Bruno Mathsson "Eva" Woven Cotton and Beech Side Chair
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Astoria, NY
Bruno Mathsson "Eva" Beech Side Chair, with tan cotton woven seat and back, marked "Bruno Mathsson / Design / Made in Sweden". 33" H x 19" W x 22" D; seat: 16" H. Provenance: A N...
Cotton, Beech
Early Chair Attributed to Jens Risom for Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in South Charleston, WV
A very early chair that is attributed to Jens Risom for Knoll. The chair features a vinyl type finish that is in good condition with a few marks and light staining. The legs have ...
$6,375Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 29.5 in W 20 in D 17 in
Pair of Early Woven Leather Lounge Chairs by Jens Risom for Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
RARE PAIR of Early woven leather lounge chairs by Jens Risom for Knoll. Made in USA, circa 1950's. Stamped. See images. East Coast Delivery for a fee. Please message for pricing.
Leather, Birch
Pair of French Oak Armchairs, France, 1950s
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
This refined pair of French armchairs from the 1950s showcases the understated elegance of mid-century design. Crafted from solid oak, the chairs feature beautifully sculpted armrest...
Straw, Oak
Jens Risom, Lounge Chair, Maple, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in High Point, NC
A white fabric and maple lounge chair designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll, USA, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.0"H x 24.0"W x ...
Fabric, Maple
$2,250
H 10 in W 24 in D 27.5 in
Early Model 652 Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll Associates, circa 1946
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early Model 652 Lounge Chair, circa 1946 by Jens Risom (1916-2016) for Knoll Associates maple, nylon Early Decal: Knoll Associates Inc., 601 Madison Ave, New York 22, N.Y. "This ...
Maple
$2,899
H 33.08 in W 23.63 in D 26.78 in
Beautiful Lounge Chair Mod. Eva by Bruno Mathsson, 1960ies Sweden No.2
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Berlin, DE
Lounge Chair “Eva” by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Värnamo, Sweden, 1960s Offered here is an iconic “Eva” lounge chair, designed by celebrated Swedish furniture designer Bruno ...
Leather, Beech
Mid Century Kofod Larsen Lounge Chair
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Pasadena, TX
Lounge chair by Ib Kofod Larsen for Selig in Denmark, circa 1950s. Sculptural frame with walnut stain. The well-crafted armrests and barrel shape design shows beautiful details and e...
Walnut
$4,116
H 33.5 in W 27 in D 22 in
Rare Midcentury Pair Oak X-frame Dagobert Armchairs with Leather Seats and Back
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish and hand made X-framed folding chairs from circa 1950. These stylized Renaissance chairs are made of solid tiger oak and they come with leather seats and backs that are all ...
Leather, Oak
Marcel Gascoin, Pair of "CF" Chairs, France 1950
By Marcel Gascoin
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Marcel Gascoin, Pair of beech straw chairs, "CF" model, France 1950. Icon of the French Reconstruction period, this chair is remarkable in its rationalism, its ergonomics and the qua...
Straw, Beech
$20,873
H 33.86 in W 27.56 in D 33.86 in
2 MODERNIST Oak ARMCHAIRS in RENE GABRIEL & PIERRE GUARICHE Style, France 1950
By Rene Gabriel
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular pair of large armchairs, Modernist, Bauhaus, Constructivist, Reconstruction, very dynamic architectural structures in solid dark oak, astonishing openwork backs, with a...
Fabric, Foam, Oak
Jens Risom Lounge Chair in Walnut and Bamboo Upholstery
By Jens Risom
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom, lounge chair, walnut and fabric, United States, 1960s. This armchair is designed by Jens Risom. The walnut frame serves as both structural foundation and defining visual...
Fabric, Walnut
$2,901
H 33.08 in W 23.63 in D 26.78 in
Beautiful Lounge Chair Mod. Eva by Bruno Mathsson, 1960ies Sweden No.1
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Berlin, DE
Lounge Chair “Eva” by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Värnamo, Sweden, 1960s Offered here is an iconic “Eva” lounge chair, designed by celebrated Swedish furniture designer Bruno ...
Leather, Beech
$4,250
H 32.68 in W 63.78 in D 33.47 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa ‘Lauriana’ Sofa for B&B Italia, Italy, 1978
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Dronten, NL
Elegant ‘Lauriana’ sofa designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia in 1978, representing the designers’ sophisticated approach to Italian postmodern furniture. This striking exam...
Steel
Vintage Italian Flower Glass Ceiling Light
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
Italian Flower ceiling light 2 internal lights Edison based Candelabra Bulbs
Art Glass
$2,000 / item
H 8.5 in Dm 17.5 in
Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light
By DBO Home
Located in Sharon, CT
Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. We just love our new porcelain Parasol Fluted Pendants. Inspired by a vintage pie cover, we designed them to hang over our kitchen...
Brass
$3,456 / item
H 16.93 in W 46.46 in D 14.18 in
Kai Kristiansen Upholstered Bench in Fumed Oak and Mohair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen, a key figure in the Danish Modern movement, designed the Entre Series in 1956 as a modular collection of bedside cabinets, benches, and chests. Combining Danish desi...
Velvet, Oak
$4,174 / set
H 5.71 in W 3.86 in D 1.7 in
Pair of Christofle Silver-Plated "Poison" vases after Émile Reiber, ca 1874
By Emile Reiber, Christofle
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stylized fish standing upright on their crossed tails. The details are rendered in relief, allowing the silver-plated surfaces to alternate between strong reflections and deeper area...
Silver Plate
Bitossi Aqua Ceramic Table Lamp, Blue Silk Lampshade by R. Houben
By Bitossi
Located in Rijssen, NL
Heavy quality ceramic table floor lamp by Bittosi, 1960s. This lamp base brings refined elegance and rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shape, it offers a uniqu...
Ceramic
Glossy Cream Ceramic Chandelier in Antique Brass 5-Arm 42.5" DIA
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Five antique brass patina arms curve up from a ceramic cluster dish to five tall stoneware ceramic shades in a glossy glaze with a subtle off-white hue. With a fixed black walnut orb...
Brass
$9,864
H 29.14 in W 47.25 in D 36.23 in
Le Bambole armchair in cotton by Mario Bellini for B&b Italy 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Le Bambole armchair designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia, 1972 Polyurethane structure, original cotton fabric. Excellent conditions, slight fading and small spots, le Bambole...
Fabric, Cotton, Rubber
A copper and wood Art Deco American table lamp
Located in London, GB
A copper and wood Art Deco American table lamp A stylish and minimalist, handcrafted American Art Deco table lamp, featuring its original brass pulley light switch, which remains in ...
Copper
$1,610 / set
H 9.8 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
Victorian Burmese Glass Vases Set by Thomas Webb & Sons, England, 1890
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Exceptional set of three English Burmese art glass vases manufactured by Thomas Webb & Sons in England during the Victorian period, circa the late 19th century. The pieces displa...
Glass
$2,250 / set
H 1.5 in W 6.63 in D 5.38 in
Pair of Buccellati Modern Classical Sterling Silver Scallop Shells
By Clementi di Giovanni Mantel, Gianmaria Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Modern Classical sterling silver scallop shells. Each: Curved bowl with dynamic notched fluting and fluid ribbed valve; three scallop shell supports. Italian post-1967 stamps...
Sterling Silver
1950s Scandinavian Modern Brass & Metal Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s Scandinavian Modern Brass & Metal Table Lamp Executed in perforated black painted metal and patinated brass. Shade interior is white and casts a soft glow when lit. A highly r...
Metal, Brass
$13,335 / item
H 49.22 in Dm 70.87 in
Brass and Parchment Paper Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Impressive chandelier made of white enameled brass arms holding six beautiful parchment paper shades, which can be adjusted thanks to the handle of each socket. Signed by the arti...
Brass
$16,479 / item
H 53.15 in W 125.99 in D 59.06 in
Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires, this other version of the spider chandelier has longer arms on the sides giving the oval shape. The metal arms paint...
Metal, Brass
Marzio Cecchi for Studio Most Murano Glass ‘Lumaca’ Snail Lamp, 1969
By Marzio Cecchi
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare 'Lumaca' Snail lamp by Marzio Cecchi for Studio Most in carved wood and Murano glass. This lamp was made in a limited edition of 50 in 1969, Italy.
Art Glass, Wood
$9,864
H 26.38 in W 42.52 in D 39.38 in
Sesann armchair in original brown velvet by G. Frattini for Cassina Italy 1970
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Sesann armchair designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1970s, Polyuretane, original mohair velvet, tubolar chromed steel structure, wooden base. Excellent condition. Sesann...
Metal
The Danish-born Jens Risom brought the Scandinavian modern design sensibility to a wide audience in the United States. As the first designer for Knoll Inc., Risom introduced American buyers to the region’s enduring design values of simplicity, grace and craftsmanship.
Risom trained in furniture making at the Copenhagen School of Industrial Arts and Design under Ole Wanscher, alongside classmates Hans Wegner and Børge Mogensen. In 1939, a year after graduating from business school, Risom decided to move to the U.S.
While working for an interior designer in New York in 1941, he met Hans Knoll, and the businessman and the designer hit it off. They brought out their first line the next year, despite wartime materials restrictions. The signature piece — now a design icon — was a lounge chair with a striking, undulant birch frame and a seat made of webbed sub-military grade parachute straps. Risom was drafted into the army, and served as a translator under General George Patton. When he returned from the war, Risom clashed over furniture design ideals with his business partner’s new bride, Florence Knoll, the pioneering mid-century modernist who was schooled in the Bauhaus method, which favored furniture with strict, geometric metal frames. Risom then started his own company, Jens Risom Design.
In the course of his long career, Risom developed a stylistic vocabulary that was a reflection of the life of the man himself: his furniture has Danish warmth coupled with an American air of crisp efficiency. Vintage Risom chairs are almost instantly recognizable — the arms and seat backs are set at a distinctive angle that seems to invite people to sit back and relax, yet they know they can hop up in an instant, ready to go.
As you will see on these pages, Jens Risom is one of the great men of American modern design who made furniture that is unique and timeless.
Find a collection of vintage Jens Risom furniture on 1stDibs that includes lounge chairs, desks, coffee tables and more.
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.