Scalamandre Red
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Curtains and Valances
Jade
2010s American Modern Pillows and Throws
Velvet
2010s American Modern Pillows and Throws
Velvet
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
20th Century Italian Louis XV Side Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Antique 1830s American American Empire Footstools
Mahogany
People Also Browsed
Antique 1870s French Renaissance Revival Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Bookends
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam
Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Pier Mirrors and Conso...
Paint, Wood, Gesso
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
1930s American Modern Animal Prints
Lithograph
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Early 20th Century Louis XV Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Fabric, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Beds and Bed Frames
Bronze
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Wallpaper
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Brass
Recent Sales
Antique 1740s English Stools
Walnut
20th Century American Chinoiserie Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Romantic Pillows and Throws
Cotton
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1960s American Loveseats
Antique 19th Century French Rococo Benches
Giltwood, Velvet
1980s American Scarves
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Armchairs
Textile, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian French Provincial Armchairs
Textile, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Stools
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Textile
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Ottomans and Poufs
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Mahogany
20th Century French Jacobean Side Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Down, Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brocade
Early 20th Century American Bohemian Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Sofas
Aluminum
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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Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
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Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
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After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.