Rocking Foot Stool
Vintage 1910s American Art Deco Chairs
Wicker, Reed
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
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2010s African Arts and Crafts Wall Lights and Sconces
Clay, Earthenware
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Dining Room Sets
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Composition
2010s Mexican Organic Modern Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Teak
Antique Late 19th Century Luxembourgish Apothecary Cabinets
Walnut, Fir
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Buffets
Oak
20th Century Modern Figurative Prints
Linocut
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Teak
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century American Rustic Rocking Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Walnut, Leather
20th Century American Stools
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Teak
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Lounge Chairs
Bouclé, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Foam, Maple, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Iron
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Rocking Chairs
Lucite, Velvet
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Iron
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker, Rattan
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
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.
- What is a foot stool called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A footstool is called an ottoman, hassock or pouf. The footstool is an umbrella term for furniture pieces used to elevate the foot. On 1stDibs, you can find a wide variety of antique and vintage footstools in different colors, styles and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Yes, an ottoman can be used as a footstool. The ottoman, originally an upholstered seat or small bench without a back or arms, was a family’s main seating furniture, a way to merge floor seating with cushions and mats. It wasn’t until they were brought to Europe from Turkey, during the 18th century, that it became popular to join ottomans with other pieces of furniture, such as at the base of a chair. On 1stDibs, find a collection of ottomans.
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