Saarinen Egg Chair
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Nickel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Nickel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Faux Leather
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
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Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
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Vintage 1970s Sofas
Leather, Bouclé
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome, Metal
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s Italian Armchairs
Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Fiberglass
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1920s French Art Nouveau Glass
Art Glass
Vintage 1960s Chairs
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum, Chrome
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Plastic, Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s American Club Chairs
Fiberglass, Fabric
Vintage 1950s American Modern Armchairs
Vintage 1970s German Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
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.
- When did the Egg chair come out?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The Egg chair came out in 1959. Danish designer Arne Jacobsen created it along with a number of other famous mid-century modern chairs, including the Series 7, the Swan and the Ant. Find a collection of Egg chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who invented the Egg chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Arne Jacobsen invented the Egg chair. Designed in 1958 for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, it is a Scandinavian classic that has over the years become a fixture of corporate offices. The Egg chair is notable for its overtly organic appearance, which Jacobsen achieved with craft-based padding and upholstery finishing. Unlike the furniture maker's previous range of shell chairs designed in laminated wood for Fritz Hansen, the Egg reflected a soulful new vision of modernity. Its finished shells were made of fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane foam, padded with cast latex foam rubber and then upholstered with leather (or, in the cost-conscious hotel's case, fabric). Shop a range of Arne Jacobsen Egg chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024To identify a Saarinen Tulip chair, turn it over and examine its round base. Authentic Tulip chairs will display the Knoll logo and Eero Saarinen's signature. Knock-offs will typically be unmarked or show off a different maker's name. When in doubt, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer for assistance with identification. Explore a diverse assortment of Eero Saarinen Tulip chairs on 1stDibs.
- How much is an egg chair worth?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021An egg chair can be worth up to $20,000. The price of an egg chair depends on the condition, upholstery material, and model.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To tell if an Arne Jacobsen egg chair is real, check for the label. Newer models have a Republic of Fritz Hansen label attached to the fabric, older models have them attached to the base of the chair. You can also look for a sticker on the cylinder that attaches to the base with a Fritz Hansen label and a four-digit date. Shop a large collection of Arne Jacobsen and other egg chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To hang an egg chair from the ceiling, you must drill into a joist and install a hook. Then, attach a chain to the top of the chair and hang it from the hook. Having an experienced handyman tackle the job for you can help to ensure secure installation and reduce the risk of damaging your ceiling. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of egg chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Whether Egg chairs are actually comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, many people find that the curved shape of the frame provides plenty of support. Shop a collection of Egg chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are several different designs of egg-shaped chairs. Some of the most famous are Henrik Thor-Larsen’s Ovalia Egg Chair from 1968 and Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair from 1959. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of egg-shaped chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The original Egg chair was designed by Arne Jacobsen for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958. It was notable for its overtly organic appearance, which Jacobsen achieved with craft-based padding and upholstery finishing. With the Egg chair, Jacobsen continued his ongoing experimentation with synthetic materials. First, he devised small-scale clay models in his garage. The prototypes' finished shells were made of fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane foam, padded with cast latex foam rubber and then upholstered with leather — or, in the cost-conscious hotel’s case, fabric. Today, the Egg chair is supported by welded steel tubing and is mounted on a lightweight aluminum base. Shop a selection of vintage Egg chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024The history of Eero Saarinen's Womb Chair dates back to the late 1940s. It was then that designer and entrepreneur Florence Knoll challenged her friend, Eero Saarinen, to create the most comfortable chair ever made. To succeed at the task, Saarinen sought to evoke what he imagined was the comfortable, secure feeling of being in the womb and set out to design the now iconic chair. Production of the Womb chair began in 1948, and it didn't take long for the seat to become a cultural phenomenon. In the decade following its release, it appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial, a New Yorker magazine cartoon and a Norman Rockwell painting on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post. Today, Knoll offers the seat in 15 upholstery options, and when Saarinen's famous TWA terminal reopened as a hotel in 2019, Womb chairs were featured prominently in the guest rooms. Explore a collection of Eero Saarinen Womb chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Whether you can replace Eero Saarinen chair legs depends on the chair. You can most easily swap out the legs on pieces that feature wooden dowels like the Lilac Organic. You will likely find it more difficult to replace legs on chairs that include metal bases like the Executive arm chair or pedestals like the Tulip. You'll find a collection of Eero Saarinen chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023Arne Jacobsen made the Egg chair for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1958. The curvy chair was meant to contrast with the SAS Royal Hotel’s straight lines as well as showcase Jacobsen’s eye for interiors. The Egg chair was notable for its overtly organic appearance, which Jacobsen achieved with craft-based padding and upholstery finishing. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of vintage Egg chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Eero Saarinen’s famed pedestal chairs, although streamlined in appearance, are crafted with a variety of materials from aluminum and molded fiberglass to the plastic-bonded finish. You can shop a selection of Eero Saarinen pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Whether an Arne Jacobsen Egg chair supports the back adequately is largely a matter of personal perception. Jacobsen did design the chair's ergonomic, dramatic curves to correspond to the contours of the human body in order to deliver a comfortable seating experience. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Arne Jacobsen Egg chairs.
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