$880Sale Price|20% Off
1920s Neoclassical Antique Cast Iron Vanity Bench Stool by Oscar Bach
By Oscar Bruno Bach
Located in Chula Vista, CA
The "X" profile is heavily inspired by the ancient Roman sella curulis (curule chair), which was historically used as a symbol of power and status for military commanders and magistr...
Metal, Iron
Italian Mid-Century Modern Folding Chair in Solid Beechwood & Raw Cotton Canvas
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Roma, IT
The Savonarola chair, itself derived from the ancient Roman sella curulis (curule seat), is celebrated for its ingenious folding structure, portability, and sculptural elegance.
Cotton, Beech
Rare Pair of French Directoire Fauteuils en Curule, Paris, circa 1800, G. Jacob
By Georges Jacob
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This form based on the antique Roman sella curulis (said to derive from currus, ‘chariot’), a curved X-frame seat reserved for magistrates and other high-ranking officials, and thus ...
Mahogany
Jean-Joseph Chapuis Rare Pair of Empire parcel-gilt japanned Fauteuils
By Jean Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
No chair employing the innovative technique of bending wood more boldly expresses this allegiance to the past than this armchair painted in le style antique and based on the ancient ...
Bentwood
Important Empire Early 19th Century Fauteuil by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
By Jean Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
No chair employing the innovative technique of bending wood more boldly expresses this allegiance to the past than this armchair painted in le style antique and based on the ancient ...
Cane, Bentwood
Unavailable
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in D 16.93 in
The Carla Stool, Diphros/Sella Curulis inspired, upholstered in leopard velvet
By Samantha Todhunter
Located in London, GB
The Carla Stool takes its inspiration from the Greek Diphros stool and the Roman Sella Curulis, this smart curule stool features the classic curved base which is fully upholstered wi...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Unavailable
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in D 16.93 in
The Carla Stool, Diphros/Sella Curulis inspired, upholstered in Seaweed Aqua
By Samantha Todhunter
Located in London, GB
The Carla Stool takes its inspiration from the Greek Diphros stool and the Roman Sella Curulis, this smart curule stool features the classic curved base which is fully upholstered wi...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Unavailable
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in D 16.93 in
The Carla Stool, Diphros/Sella Curulis inspired, upholstered in blue stripe silk
By Samantha Todhunter
Located in London, GB
The Carla Stool takes its inspiration from the Greek Diphros stool and the Roman Sella Curulis, this smart curule stool features the classic curved base which is fully upholstered wi...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Unavailable
H 35.44 in W 46.86 in D 25.2 in
Rare 19th Century Painted Bench or Settee, ex-Madeleine Castaing, after Chapuis
By Jean Joseph Chapuis
Located in Richmond, London
Decorated in the exotic 'Etruscan' style to simulate patinated bronze, with its dramatically exaggerated curves, evoking the ancient Roman 'sella curulis' - a symbol of magisterial p...
Wood, Cane, Upholstery
Sold
H 20.48 in W 24.02 in D 12.21 in
Curule Stool in Varnished Wood, Art Deco Style, France, 20th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
The low, wide silhouette with a tiered central column and the stepped plinth base are a direct reference to the Roman sella curulis reinterpreted through the geometric vocabulary of ...
Wood
Pair of Directoire Curule or X Frame Stools, c.1800.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Its status in early Rome as a symbol of political or military power carried over to other civilizations, as it was also used in this regard by kings in Europe, Napoleon, and others. ...
Wood
Sold
H 34.5 in W 21.5 in D 23.5 in
Pair of Antique Painted Curule Armchairs in the style of Jean-Joseph Chapuis
By Jean Joseph Chapuis
Located in Richmond, London
Decorated in the exotic 'Etruscan' style to simulate patinated bronze, with their dramatically exaggerated curves, evoking the ancient Roman 'sella curulis' – the ultimate symbol of ...
Bronze
$282,477Sale Price|20% Off
H 52 in W 40 in D 2 in
Exotic - Scottish 1920's exhibited 'Glasgow Girl' art portrait oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This stunning much exhibited 1920's Scottish portrait oil painting is by noted Glasgow Girl artist Norah Nielson Gray. Painted circa 1923, the model for the painting was Rita McIlrai...
Oil
$950 / item
H 25.6 in W 32.67 in D 13.78 in
New Black Wrought Iron Curule Bench with Cushion, Savonarola, Throne
Located in Miami, FL
New black wrought iron curule bench with cushion, Savonarola, Throne. Cushion included.
Iron
Pair of Modern Walnut Side Tables
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Pacific walnut side table, the square top with rounded corners and a reeded edge above a similar under tier, on bobbin turned legs. Dimensions: 26" W x 26" D x 28.5" H.
Wood
$500 / item
H 18.7 in W 13.2 in D 3 in
Manly P. Hall's The Secret Teachings, Facsimile Book Set with Prints
By TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The classic encyclopedia of the arcane in an expanded edition. Renowned philosopher and lecturer Manly P. Hall’s masterful encyclopedia of ancient symbols, hidden rituals, and arcan...
Foil
$5,432Sale Price|20% Off
H 22 in W 26 in
Fine Italian Old Master Oil Painting Angel & Saints Appearing to Figures
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: Italian Old Master, 18th century Title: Angel and Saints appearing to figures, one dressed in a white ruff collar. Medium: oil on canvas, framed Framed: 22 x 26 i...
Canvas, Oil
The 'Matisse' Etagere
Located in London, GB
The 'Matisse' wrought iron side table. A hand made and patinated wrought iron etagere with whimsical Matisse style cut-out decoration. Made to order based on a 1960s original. Avail...
Wrought Iron
$2,838 / item
H 24 in W 24 in D 24 in
Modern Fabric Pendant Light by Studio Mirei, Nebula 60, from Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Nebula collection is drawn out of the interstellar clouds of dust and gas in space - regions where stars begin to form. Made of a woven natural fiber from the banana tree, which ...
Natural Fiber
Mid 18th Century Antique Brown Floral English Axminster Rug, 1760
Located in New York, NY
Antique Brown Floral English Axminster Rug Made in Axminster, Devon, Great Britain, circa 1760 (George III) Provenance: Baron Guy de Rothschild 29' 10" x 17' 11" (909.32 x 546.10 cm)
Wool
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s Walnut Dining Chairs
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French Mid-Century solid walnut side chairs with a lattice back, in the manner of Jacques Adnet.
Fabric, Wood
$4,006
H 31.5 in W 27.5 in
FINE ORIGINAL ANTIQUE 18th CENTURY BRITISH OIL PAINTING MAN O WAR
Located in Ferndown, GB
FINE ORIGINAL ANTIQUE 18th CENTURY BRITISH OIL PAINTING MAN O WAR IN HARBOUR Description Good Condition canvas but very old with some browning in places (see picture). Cleaned ,re-...
Oil
$3,636Sale Price|10% Off
H 48.82 in W 28.35 in D 42.92 in
Vintage Italian Industrial Cabinet / drawers for storage drawings and posters
Located in Milano, IT
Industrial furniture from the fifties and the sixties is making a strong comeback, because finally its high design qualities are being recognised and awarder even if most of the time...
Iron
$60,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 49.5 in W 40.15 in D 16.15 in
French Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Mahogany Chinese Lacquered Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular antique French Louis XVI style gilt bronze mounted mahogany Chinese lacquered double door cabinet embellished with Chinese gilt decorated lacquered panels depicting chi...
Bronze
Süe & Mare rosewood and amboyna burl desk 1921
By Sue et Mare
Located in Paris, IDF
This walnut, rosewood, and amboyna burl veneer desk dates from the early 1920s and was created by Louis Süe and André Mare. It takes us straight to the height of the Art Deco period....
Amboyna
Old Fountain
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
This old French Limestone fountain was hand carved and installed in a French countryside home. The piece has been well preserved throughout the years and was recently reclaimed by ou...
Limestone
Rare Queen Anne Chinoiserie Japanned Chest On Stand
Located in Lymington, GB
A sophisticated Queen Anne-period chinoiserie japanned chest raised on elegant cabriole legs with 'pony foot' carved detailing. This early-18th century chest on stand demonstrates t...
Lacquer
$98,000Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 24 in W 44.5 in D 21.5 in
Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles , Exceptional fine pair of Large French Retour D'egypt period terracotta lions, circa 1790-1810. The F...
Terracotta
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.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
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.