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
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Mantel Clocks
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
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Antique 1890s German Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Giltwood
2010s Thai Post-Modern Side Tables
Brass
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
17th Century Baroque Landscape Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Antique 1890s Chaise Longues
Fabric, Teak
Antique Late 18th Century French Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Religious Items
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century German Rococo Vases
Porcelain
Antique Late 19th Century Cabinets
Iron
Antique Early 19th Century Scottish Windsor Chairs
Ash, Elm
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
Elm
Antique 1890s Asian Chairs
Teak
Antique 19th Century Bajan British Colonial Daybeds
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Swedish Chaise Longues
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather, Fur
Recent Sales
Antique Late 19th Century Thai Tibetan Chairs
Giltwood
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather
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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