Ruffle Sofa
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Silk, Trimming
2010s Contemporary Nude Photography
Archival Pigment
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Pillows and Throws
Silk
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Plastic, Plaster, Paint
People Also Browsed
Late 20th Century Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
2010s South African Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
2010s Spanish Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Aluminum, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Brass
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Armchairs
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Beds and Bed Frames
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Hide, Alpaca, Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Organic Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Ceramic, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Rugs
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Pier Mirrors and Conso...
Paint, Wood, Gesso
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Game Tables
Brass
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Beech
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs
Silk
Recent Sales
2010s American Modern Benches
Textile, Upholstery
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Velvet
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Velvet
20th Century European Louis XV Sofas
Wood, Linen, Upholstery, Down
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Cotton, Down, Giltwood, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Sofas
Linen
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Linen, Upholstery, Walnut, Down
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Cane, Down, Linen, Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Rococo Sofas
Down, Giltwood, Linen, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Down, Feathers, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Cotton, Linen, Giltwood, Down
1960s American Evening Gowns
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Linen, Wood, Down
Antique 19th Century Italian Living Room Sets
Silk, Giltwood
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Sofas
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Slip, Upholstery, Wood, Cotton, Down, Linen
Late 20th Century Unknown Louis XV Sofas
Cotton, Down, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Down, Raw Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century North American Chinese Chippendale Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary North American Ottomans and Poufs
Linen
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Patio and Garden Furniture
Reed, Bamboo, Wicker, Cane
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Pillows and Throws
Velvet, Acrylic
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Rosewood
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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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
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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.