$409Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 31 in W 18 in D 17.5 in
2 Primitive Antique Shaker Style Maple Ladderback Dining Side Chairs Rush Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
A Qauint pair of Shaker ladderback chairs from the first half of the 20th century. Made from maple
Rush, Birdseye Maple
Pair of Shaker Style Ladderback Chairs
By Shaker Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th c. early New England Shaker style Ladderback Chairs.
Pine
$1,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 46 in W 17.5 in D 18.75 in
Antique Pennsylvania Shaker Style Tall Ladderback & Rush Dining Chair Set
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Set of 4 solid Oak ladderback Shaker era style chairs. We believe these to be early 1900s version
Oak, Rush
$3,500 / set
H 39 in W 21 in D 19 in
Pair Stickley Co. Shaker Type Chestnut Ladderback Side Chairs, NYC Circa 1910s
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of L. & J.G. Stickley Co. Chestnut Ladderback and Upholstered Side Chairs in Shaker manner
Upholstery, Chestnut
$1,295Sale Price|30% Off
H 34.5 in W 17 in D 15.5 in
6 Antique Country Farmhouse Maple Ladderback Woven Rattan Dining Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of 6 antique Shaker style country farmhouse dining chairs. Made of Maple featuring a woven
Rush, Maple
Monolith Ladderback Chair by Phaedo, White, Washed Oak
By Morgan Spaulding
Located in Saugerties, NY
The monolith ladderback chair is a playful take on the classic Shaker style ladder back chair
Canvas, Oak
Sold
H 45 in W 23.25 in D 19.25 in
Vintage Early American Style Oak Rustic Ladderback Rush Seat Shaker Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Early American style shaker ladderback chair. Made from oak with black painted finish
Rush, Oak, Paint
Sold
H 41.5 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
6 Vintage Shaker Style Farmhouse Ladderback Maple Dining Chairs Rush Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
6 Shaker style ladderback dining chairs, circa second half 20th century. Made from maple with an
Maple
Sold
H 34.5 in W 19 in D 18.5 in
4 Antique Primitive Shaker Maple Farmhouse Country Ladderback Rush Dining Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage American Shaker maple and pine rush seat ladderback farmhouse dining chairs. 18.5" x 19" x
Rush, Maple
Sold
H 46 in W 19 in D 19.5 in
4 Antique Primitive Shaker Oak Farmhouse Country Ladderback Rattan Dining Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
4 American Shaker ladderback dining chairs with rattan / wicker seats. Beautifully designed with
Rattan, Oak
Sold
H 43.31 in W 23.23 in D 20.08 in
Set of Eight Antique Dining Chairs, English, Ladderbacks, Shaker, circa 1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of eight antique dining chairs, English ladderbacks dating to the middle of the 19th
Rush, Oak
Sold
H 41 in W 18 in D 17.75 in
4 Vintage Shaker Style Maple Ladderback Dining Side Chairs Country Farmhouse
Located in Dayton, OH
Four vintage Shaker style ladder back dining chairs. Made of maple, featuring classic turned legs
Maple
Sold
H 42.5 in W 16 in D 18 in
2 Antique Oak Ladderback Rush Shaker Style Side Dining Chairs Country Farmhouse
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of two antique ladder back side dining chairs. Made of oak featuring woven rush seats and tall
Rush, Oak
Sold
H 44.5 in W 19 in D 20 in
Antique Early 20th Century Shaker Oak Ladderback Side Accent Chair Rush Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
A lovely early 20th century shaker side chair. Made from oak with a serpentine ladder back
Rush, Oak
Sold
H 41 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
3 Vintage French Country Shaker Rush Seat Cherry Ladderback Dining Side Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
3 American ladderback dining side chairs, circa last quarter 20th century. Made from cherry with a
Rush, Cherry
Sold
H 34 in W 17 in D 14 in
Early 19th Century Antique American Shaker Ladderback Dining Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Los Angeles, CA
antique early American Shaker ladderback chairs. Authentic and rich with history, these pieces exemplify
Wood
Set of 3 Mid 19C Shaker Pioneer Ladderback Chairs
By Shaker Style
Located in Dallas, TX
Pioneer Ladderback Chairs from circa 1840-60. The set of 3 ladderback side chairs are not identical or
Elm, Pine
Vintage Shaker Arts & Crafts Oak Ladderback Side Accent Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
20th century arts & crafts side chair. Made from oak with a serpentine ladder back. Features ripped
Oak
Sold
H 36.5 in W 13 in D 19 in
1757 Antique 18th Century Primitive Folk Art Ladderback Rush Shaker Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique mid-18th century Shaker chair featuring painted accents with ladderback and rush seat
Rush, Hardwood, Paint
Sold
H 39 in W 17.5 in D 18.75 in
4 Antique Early American Shaker Pine Ladderback Rush Side Dining Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Four vintage pine early American style Shaker ladderback dining chairs featuring rush seats and
Rush, Pine
Sold
H 41 in W 21.5 in D 30 in
20th Century Shaker Style Farmhouse Ladderback Rocking Chair Rush Seat Black
Located in Dayton, OH
20th Century shaker style rocking chair. Features a black finish with gold trim along the back
Rush, Hardwood
Sold
H 34 in W 18 in D 17 in
4 Antique Amish Shaker Solid Maple Ladderback Dining Chairs Reed Woven Seats
Located in Dayton, OH
4 solid maple shaker dining chairs. Feature a ladderback and reed woven seats.
Reed, Maple
Sold
H 38 in W 18.5 in D 14 in
American Mid 19th Century Shaker Side Chair in Curly Maple with Tilters
By Shakers
Located in Wells, ME
American curly maple Shaker ladderback side chair with woven splint seat and tilters to the back
Maple
Charles Dudouyt Oak and Straw chairs
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Painter and illustrator turned furniture designer Charles Dudouyt (1885-1946) sense of rusticity and modernism is strikingly present in this set of 1930s chairs.
Straw, Oak
$675Sale Price / item|55% Off
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razorblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and boucle. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. Model: Razorblade ...
Oak
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Wood, Oak
Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base. Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H.
Wood
Solana Wall Sconces
By Blueprint Lighting
Located in Westport, CT
The "Solana" wall mount sconce or reading light is strongly influenced by Scandinavian, Danish, French, and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. The walnut back plate (available in natural...
Enamel, Brass
$6,541Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 70.87 in D 36.23 in
Gervasoni Sofa Upholstered Saia 10 by David Lopez Quincoces
By Gervasoni, David Lopez Quincoces
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With balanced lines, the Saia upholstered collection is created from a classic ideal reinterpreted in a contemporary key. The name, meaning "skirt" in Portuguese, illustrates its dis...
Upholstery
$325
H 38.75 in W 18 in D 18.25 in
Single Quaker Style Ladder Back Dining Chair with Rush Seat and Bible Shelf
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Quaker style ladder back dining chair with rush seat and Bible shelf. One left from group of many. In original condition, with visible patina and heavy wear, including some br...
Rush, Wood
Sunburst Eyelash Light Fixture in Gilt Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
French midcentury gilt iron eyelash sunburst ceiling light fixture / wall sconce, 1950s. A hand-hammered large gilt iron sunburst light fixture with alternating eyelash ended rays a...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually. Takes one E12 base bulb, up to 25 W or highe...
Iron
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...
Brass
$723Sale Price / item|52% Off
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razorblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and vintage tobacco aniline leather. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Moder...
Oak
$1,275 / item
H 15 in W 13.5 in D 6 in
JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
$2,000 / item
H 8.5 in Dm 17.5 in
Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light
By DBO Home
Located in Sharon, CT
Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. We just love our new porcelain Parasol Fluted Pendants. Inspired by a vintage pie cover, we designed them to hang over our kitchen...
Brass
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
Basurto 01 Contemporary Wooden and Fabric Stool
By Difane, Colección Estudio
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A tribute to the architectural style that characterized Mexico City during the mid-20th century. Inspired by its lines, symmetry, volumes and shapes, each piece is a miniature abstra...
Hardwood
Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection. An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....
Linen
Authentic antique Shaker furniture is hard to come by, but not exceedingly rare. “Shaker style” describes furnishings and interiors that are both warm and simple, centered on unpretentious wooden chairs, tables and cabinets without ornament or embellishment.
The term derives from the popular name for an all-but-vanished American religious sect, whose members crafted modest household furniture and objects as part of their belief in purposeful living and simplicity in all things.
Members of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing — called Shakers, derisively, because they writhed and danced in religious ecstasy during worship — arrived in the United States from England in 1774. Within 50 years, the sect had established 19 self-sufficient communities from Maine to Kentucky, where they lived pure, humble and industrious lives.
The furniture and objects the Shakers made reflected their strict rules of behavior. Pieces such as ladder- and slat-back chairs and trestle tables were painstakingly crafted from native woods like maple and cherry, using traditional methods such as mortise-and-tenon and dovetail joinery and lathe turning. They employed strong, straight lines and symmetrical proportions, and decoration of any kind — carving, veneers, inlays — was prohibited, as it would encourage the sins of pride and vanity.
The Shakers movement included some 6,000 members at its peak in the 1860s, but the group practiced celibacy and could attempt to sustain their flock only by recruiting new adherents. Modernity proved too alluring. Today only one tiny Shaker community, in Maine, still exists, though the sect’s heritage is preserved at several historical sites.
To support their communities, the Shakers sold furniture to outsiders, who appreciated its superb quality. While the “Shaker style” label is today given to many plain, simple wooden pieces, it should also denote superior construction and solid materials. As elements in interior design, Shaker furnishings work best in a quiet decor. Modest pieces such as these can become lost among more ornate works. The style is most suitable to a country home — although a Shaker chair or cabinet can make a striking counterpoint in a modernist, urban setting.
Shaker furniture and objects have a deep appeal for their warmth, honesty and graceful simplicity, which make them welcome almost anywhere.
Find antique Shaker furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
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.
