Saddle Elephant Chair
Vintage 1920s Thai Anglo-Indian Chairs
Bouclé, Teak
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Thai British Colonial Armchairs
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Armchairs
Teak
Recent Sales
Antique Late 19th Century Thai Tibetan Chairs
Giltwood
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Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
Antique 1720s Spanish Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Giltwood, Paint
Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Vitrines
Glass, Mahogany
Vintage 1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Musical Instruments
Wood, Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century Brazilian Romantic Chaise Longues
Wood
Antique 19th Century Chinese Beds and Bed Frames
Gold Leaf
20th Century Southeast Asian British Colonial Lounge Chairs
Cane, Teak
Antique Late 19th Century European Moorish Architectural Elements
Wrought Iron
Antique 1730s European Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Paint
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
Antique 19th Century Italian Apothecary Cabinets
Glass, Walnut
Antique 1890s Windows
Glass
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Architectural Elements
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century Thai Other Furniture
Gold Leaf
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.
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