Sold|$2,132
Victorian Carved Black Lacquered Settee
Located in Stutton, GB
Victorian carved black lacquered settee, with a lovely carved shaped back, shaped open arms, standing on shaped cabriole legs to the front outswept back legs, original castors, Newl...
Sold|$5,500
Grey Painted Gustavian Settee, circa 1900s
Located in Stamford, CT
Early 20th century Swedish grey painted Gustavian settee with rounded back carved detailing armrests with carved lions heads.
Wood
Sold|$3,800
American Figured Maple Settee, circa 1830
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Very fine, classical, figured maple settee with carved decoration across the back and nice turnings, re-caned seat, American, circa 1830.
Maple
Sheraton Camel Back Sofa with Mahogany Reeded Legs and Inlay
Located in Billerica, MA
Sheraton Camel back sofa recently reupholstered in a high quality, off white damask with mahogany reeded legs and inlay. Measures: 35 x 71 x 27 inches.
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Painted Settee
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century French Louis XVI style painted settee with the rectangular back decorated with finials and fluted spindle on each sides, cushioned seat, padded sides and raised on taper...
Upholstery, Wood
Anglo-Indian Horn and Bone Inlaid Settee with Caned Back and Seat
Located in East Hampton, NY
Late 19th century Anglo-Indian inlaid two-seat bench.
Horn, Mahogany
Sold|$2,100
French Jansen Style Upholstered Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
Hollywood Regency tufted scoop back settee bench with reeded legs and wonderfully shaped arms, gilt ball finials and detailing.
Upholstery, Wood
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.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.