Scalloped Loveseat
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Loveseats
Mohair, Upholstery, Giltwood
Recent Sales
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Velvet, Cherry
2010s Loveseats
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Leather
20th Century Loveseats
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Deco Settees
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bouclé
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Vietnamese Antiquities
Bronze
Vintage 1910s Bottles
Blown Glass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Leather
Antique 1780s Italian Neoclassical Daybeds
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century English William and Mary Wingback Chairs
Linen, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century European Biedermeier Settees
Upholstery, Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Brazilian Romantic Chaise Longues
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Tables
Ebony, Oak, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Benches
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
20th Century American Brutalist Console Tables
Steel
Early 20th Century Turkish Quilts and Blankets
Cotton, Silk
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Children's Furniture
Walnut
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Han Antiquities
Terracotta
Antique Late 19th Century French Industrial and Work Tables
Pine
Early 20th Century French Baroque Armchairs
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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